An 11-year-old who has Leukaemia performed the coin toss at this year’s Wimbledon men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Andy Murray thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Credit/Copyright: Make-A-Wish Foundation
Elijah, from Clapham, south London, flipped the coin which led to Roger Federer serving first on Centre Court.
Elijah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2010. The illness means he has to have a blood test every Monday, chemotherapy once a month, and lumbar punctures every three months.
He first started watching tennis four years ago, but struggles to play because his physical stamina has suffered due to his treatment.
It was Elijah’s first time at Wimbledon and after the coin toss on Centre Court (where he was assisted in his on-court duties by Andrew Jarrett, Championships’ Referee, and the Chair Umpire), he watched the match with his family, enjoying lunch and tea in the Competitors’ Restaurant.
His mother, Catherine, said Elijah was “very excited, happy and overwhelmed, but also feeling a little bit nervous” when he found out he would be doing the coin toss at the final.
Source: Make-A-Wish UK
