Thurrock tennis star visits Wimbledon (From Thurrock Gazette)

Thurrock tennis star visits Wimbledon

5:00pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A RISING tennis star from Chafford Hundred was invited onto centre court at Wimbledon last Thursday to encourage young people to play tennis live on BBC breakfast.

Charisma Nuqui, 7, of Mayflower Road has only been playing tennis for a year and a half but her potential has already been noticed by former British number one Jo Durie.

The BBC invited Charisma to spend the day at Wimbledon and showed footage of her playing tennis which they had filmed at the French Connection Tennis Academy where she trains two days before.

She was interviewed live on BBC Breakfast with her coach, dad Chris, and asked what she liked best about tennis, to which she replied: "Just getting out there and hitting the ball."

Jo Durie said of Charisma: "She is very good for her age, we are looking for more kids like this under ten.

"We need more tennis players and if we can get more like Charisma that would be fantastic."

She added: "Charisma works so hard, she is so dedicated."

A pupil at Chafford Hundred Primary, Charisma trains six times a week.

As well as attending the French Connection Tennis Academy, she also trains at Next Generation in Romford, and the Thurrock Lawn Tennis Club.

Her mum Irene Nuqui said: "We are so proud of Charisma being invited to be a guest on BBC Breakfast.

"It was so exciting for all of us, but Charisma was very cool.

"She wasn't even nervous to be on TV."

She added: "Charisma does work very hard to get this reward.

"When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she says a tennis player.

"If its what she really wants to do then we are behind her 100 per cent."

The family also got to meet some tennis greats from the past and present during their day at Wimbledon.

Mrs Nuqui said: "We had breakfast in the BBC canteen where we saw John LLoyd and the BBC producer introduced Charisma to him.

"We also met Richard Gasquet, Marat Safin, Ferrer and Zheng Jie at the practice courts."

Mrs Nuqui says the family owe a lot to Charisma's school, adding: "We wouldn't be anywhere without their support, they have been brilliant, encouraging Charisma in a big and positive way.

"We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people who want the best for Charisma."

You can watch Charisma being interviewed on BBC Breakfast via YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5tyH62-vvg&feature=related.

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