A YOUNG tennis player from the region was a ball girl during the world number one showdown between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic at London’s O2 Arena last week.

Cheri Darley, 12, who plays at Tennis World in Middlesbrough, described the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals as “the experience of a lifetime”.

While she was the youngest of all the ball kids taking part in the tournament, she said everyone made her feel welcome and she settled in straight away.

The 12-year-old was given a Lacoste kit when she arrived at the hotel, and got the chance to go on a tour of the O2.

“I couldn’t believe how big it was,” she said.

Cheri had to wake up at 7.30am every morning to be ready for her important role at the tournament, which sees the top eight male players in the rankings battle it out in the final event of the season.

While she said she was a bit apprehensive about being away from home for a week, she found the whole experience “very exciting”.

“Before my first match, I was so nervous as my team was selected to run out first,” she said.

“The music was pounding and the atmosphere was electric – we all ran out to thousands of people in the crowd.

“As the week went on I was more and more confident and enjoyed it even more.”

The tournament concluded with Murray beating Djokovic in straight sets to finish the year as world number one for the first time in his career.

The victory ended a remarkable year for the British number one, who won a second Wimbledon title and became the first male player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title in Rio.

“I loved being at the trophy presentation at the end where we all got our photos took with Andy Murray,” said Cheri.