Tennis: models to replace ball boys and girls

how can i make the title of this thread politicaly correct? ball persons? ball young persons? ball people?

Models ace ballboys out of a job

Fri Oct 15, 8:34 AM ET


MADRID (Reuters) - The centre court at next week's Madrid Masters tournament will look more like a catwalk than a sports arena after organisers decided to drop the traditional ballboys and ballgirls in favour of glamorous female models.

The organisers are reported to be paying the 25 women an average of 900 euros (620 pounds) to do the job previously done by enthusiastic young volunteers from local tennis clubs.


Coach Julio Nieto admitted that he had had a tough job in trying train up the models for the tournament.


"We have had to show them what the sport is all about," he told sports daily As. "We had to start by explaining what a game, a set and ace were and then tell them when and how to pass the players the balls.


"It's not going to be perfect, but I'll be happy if things turn out well and there are no protests from the players. Although personally I think that with such beautiful girls the players are going to be distracted."


World number one Roger Federer leads the field at the tournament which gets underway on Monday October 18.

Is it on ESPN?

It will be better for watching tennis, but there really isn't any point in doing it. At least the kids had a clue as to what was going on, and they did it because they love tennis, and not for cash.

this must be in the hope of attracting a bigger audience, the ball boys who do it already will feel cheated out a game though

still, may be worth a look

so will it be on in the states?

Models don't bother Corretja in opening Madrid win

MADRID, Spain -- Fashion models replaced traditional ball boys in the biggest surprise Monday at the Madrid Masters, where expected winners included Albert Costa, Alex Corretja and Luis Horna.
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Women in black tank tops and white, knee-length skirts chased errant shots during Costa's 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 victory over Irakli Labadze. Reportedly paid $1,100 for the week, the women were greeted by cheers and whistles at the Madrid Rockodrome indoor court.

The women are appearing in one televised match each day during the tournament.

"They did it very well. I didn't notice any difference," Costa said. "It's entertaining, and I like the idea that the tournament should do this."

He now faces top-seeded Tim Henman in the second round Wednesday.

CBS

[Edited on 10/18/2004 by Gibbs Baby!!!]

I see this today in the paper and by the pics of these women i guess a few more people tuned into the Tennis...