Hilarious moment players invite BALL BOYS to play in a Wimbledon doubles match – and their reaction is priceless

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The hilarious moment two veteran players handed over their rackets for two ball boys to play at Wimbledon has caused a sensation online. 

In the clip, which was shared on the All England Club’s social media accounts this weekend, Mark Philippoussis and Tommy Haas can be seen playing Marcos Baghdatis and Xavier Malisse in the Gentlemen’s Invitation Doubles match.

Philippoussis and Haas can be seen handing their rackets over to two awaiting ball boys, who appeared delight to be given the opportunity to play at the prestigious club.

The clip, which was filmed last year at the tournament, showed the unnamed ball boys trying their best to return the shots from the professional players Malisse and Baghdatis.

The video left many in stitches, with one commenting: ‘How nervous they must have been to play on that court!’

The hilarious moment two veteran players handed over their rackets for two ball boys to play at Wimbledon has caused a sensation online

Another wrote: ‘Love this! I watched the ball boys and girls often. Appreciate them!’

A third added: ‘Wow! These will be remembered for the rest of their life! Look at their big smile.’ 

A fourth commented: ‘I saw this in person! It’s so much funnier when you’re in the crowd.’

‘This put a massive smile on my face, I bet this made their whole year!’ 

Meanwhile others questioned the ball skills of those playing in the match, with one writing; ‘I always thought Ball Boys must be tennis pros.’

Another wrote: This is a real pain in the eyes.

‘Every ball person must know how to play tennis, otherwise don’t apply.’ 

Sharing the clip on their official social media, the Wimbledon account wrote: ‘The moment they’ve been waiting for’.

The video left many tennis fans in stitches, with many saying it was a memory the ball boys would hold dear for their entire lives 

In the video, the two professionals can be seen approaching the ball boys at the back of the court, before handing over their rackets.

Clearly delighted, the boys dashed onto the court and quickly started jogging on the spot as they warmed up.

Malisse and Baghdatis began slowly feeding them the ball, as they knocked it back and forth to the cheers of the crowd. 

However one of the ball boys appeared a little too enthusiastic, swinging his racket and knocking his ball into the net. 

It’s far from the first time the professionals have invited amateurs onto the court invitational doubles at Wimbledon.

In 2019, Henri Leconte and Patrick McEnroe decided to spice up their opening round match with Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis by inviting the umpire to take part.

In the video, the two professionals can be seen approaching the ball boys at the back of the court, before handing over their rackets

Clearly delighted, the boys dashed onto the court and quickly started jogging on the spot as they warmed up

Malisse and Baghdatis began slowly feeding them the ball, as they knocked it back and forth to the cheers of the crowd

With the score locked at deuce at 5-5 in the second set, Leconte decided to offer his racket to the umpire and take his place in the chair.

The umpire was thrust straight into the action at the net with his partner McEnroe, the youngest brother of former champion John, on serve.

After an exchange of volleys he was lobbed and unable to chase back quickly enough in his blazer and tie.

Leconte gave a running commentary, shouting ‘yes’ each time the umpire hit the ball.

And when he was offered a simple smash at the net on break point, Leconte exclaimed ‘finish it’, and the umpire duly obliged.

The tennis tournament’s official social media account caused a sensation this weekend when it shared the 2022 clip 

It was in the next point that the official stole the show, connecting with a volleyed winner into the tramlines and then taking a tumble as he lost balance and tripped over himself.

The moment brought laughs from the crowd, applause from Leconte and adulation from McEnroe.

‘You are definitely my hero. You can do it, still one more point please’, said Leconte in the chair.

But on the next point he could only volley high and wide to bring about another deuce.

Facing break point again the umpire delivered, this time with a forehand winner in the service box as Leconte shouted ‘finish it’.

By this time the umpire had had enough, and gave Leconte his racket back to finish the rest of the game.

Unfortunately for Leconte and McEnroe the umpire’s helping hand could not prevent defeat. 

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