Nadal has practice hit with young gun Barry

LIMERICK teenage ace Sam Barry yesterday fulfilled one of his wildest dreams when he had a practice hit with the great Rafael Nadal in London.

Barry was present at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 arena, and the world number two responded enthusiastically when he was approached at the season-ending event by Tennis Ireland coaching director Garry Cahill on behalf of the young Irish player.

Barry, 19, who is entering into his second year on the adult pro circuit and is ranked at 727, had an additional boost when another Spanish star, world number 10 Nicolas Almagro, also traded shots.