DORSET tennis players Jose Pegorini and Tom Shipton have reached the final of the Barclay Ball Kids search.

Jose and Tom were two of just seven qualifiers to progress from the trial at the Hampshire Health and Raquets Club, Southampton.

They are following in the footsteps of Bournemouth’s Reiga Belcher and Gianpiero Placidi who were ball boys at last year’s finals at the O2 Arena.

Nearly 100 youngsters attended the competition in Southampton a bid to qualify for the national trial in London in April.

And only 100 qualifiers were chosen from more than 1,000 entrants nationwide.

“It would be amazing for me to do it and a great opportunity for me to meet the world’s best players” said 14-year-old Southburne Tennis Club member Jose, from St Peters School.

“I’ve watched the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on the television. My favourite player is Novak Djokovic and to have the chance to be one of the final 30 ball kids is fantastic.”

Fellow qualifier Tom is equally excited by the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the game’s greatest players.

“Being around players like Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal would be the best thing ever and I’m going to work really hard at the final trial in April to make sure I make it into the final squad of thirty kids,” said the 13-year-old Durlston Court pupil from Christchurch.