http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13237914,00.html

Tennis organisers in Spain have served up controversy by replacing ball boys and girls with fashion models. Fans at the Madrid Masters cheered and whistled when they saw the models chasing balls around the court.

The women, aged between 19 and 27, were drafted in to replace the young fans who usually run around doing the job.They were given special outfits of a black top and a white, knee-length skirt. Coach Julio Nieto told the As newspaper it had been a challenge to teach the models the game because they knew little about it.

"How it is played, what a set is, what a game is, when to toss the ball," he said. Each model is reportedly being paid around £600 for the week under a scheme devised by fashion designer Hugo Boss.

"They did it very well. I didn't notice any difference," said player Albert Costa. "It's entertaining, and I like the idea that the tournament should do this." Alex Corretja said he had not been distracted.

"When you're on the court, you only look at the ball and your coach - as long as its the same ball it doesn't matter (who throws it)," he said.

However, the young ball girls that have been replaced were less enthusiastic. "We think its very, very bad because in a game of tennis the centre of attention should be the player," said one unnamed 14-year-old. "It's sport, not a catwalk."