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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Sports Staff

Wimbledon 2018: Ball boys and girls given special permission to watch England vs Sweden World Cup match

Wimbledon's dedicated ball boys and girls will be able to watch England's World Cup clash in between the tennis action, their trainer has revealed.

Sarah Goldson, a PE teacher who looks after the team of around 250 teenagers, said a number had shown an "interest" in the quarter-final match against Sweden.

"Our focus is very much on the tennis," Ms Goldson said.

"They are downstairs in the complex, we have multiple screens down there. Obviously there is an interest in the football, but the main focus is the state of the match as they go out."

Asked if the highly disciplined ball boys and girls, known as BBGs, could switch over from the tennis coverage, she said: "They can watch the football, yeah."

As temperatures soar at Wimbledon, Ms Goldson revealed the BBGs have been doing shorter shifts of 45 minutes instead of an hour.

On hotter courts, they rotate more frequently.

The youngsters are also encouraged to drink regularly and come off court if they feel unwell.

"We tell them that, really, their drinks holder should be empty when they come off," Ms Goldson said.

Despite sweltering weather, the measures have meant no BBGs have fainted so far at this year's championships.

Temperatures are expected to hit 31C (88F) on Saturday at SW19.

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