Model ball-girls welcomed

Wed, Nov 29, 2006

Howard Philips


Tim Henman has welcomed moves to use models as ball-girls at the Madrid Masters.

Forward thinking tournament organisers saw the potential to make the headlines by dispensing with the traditional schoolboys and using professional models.

One Spanish politician took the bait and called for the “sexist” practice to be banned - handing the tournament masses of free publicity.

The players certainly don’t agree with the killjoys though, as Tiger Tim explained.

He said: “I think it’s something different, isn’t it? They certainly look good from where I have been sitting!”

Perhaps Wimbledon could follow Madrid’s example next year, as Henman’s second round opponent Albert Costa was distracted enough for the Britain to cruise to a 6-4, 6-2 victory.