Beating out competition from more than 200 other young hopefuls, seven young boys from the Fabiano de Paula tennis school in Rio’s largest favela community have won their place on the courts of Rio 2016.

Gabriel Paiva, Luiz Carlos Medeiros, Mattheus Oliveira, Gabriel Lima, Daniel Melo and twins Christian and Pedro Torres will be throwing balls to the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic when the tournament starts in a week’s time (6 August).

The boys were selected by taking into account a combination of school attendance (a requirement for all of the 220 youngsters training at the academy), behaviour and their performance on the court at training.

Rocinha, Brazil's biggest favela, seen from above (Photo: Getty Images/Mario Tama)

Speaking to Brazilian newspaper Estadão, Oliveira, 15, said: “It’s going to be cool. The Olympics is the biggest event in the world and I’m going to be there seeing my idols. What I want most is to see Djoko (Novak Djokovic) play, preferably against [Wilfred] Tsonga.”

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Fellow ball boy Christian Torres, 14, told the paper how anxiety has been building as the event edges closer. “It’s giving me butterflies in my stomach,” he admits. “But it’s a unique opportunity. Everyone wants to watch these guys and we’re going to be there on the court!”

The school where the boys train was founded by Brazilian professional tennis player Fabiano de Paula – who grew up in a neighbouring favela – as a means of offering a little-practised sport to young people at risk of being lured into gang life.

Talking to TenisBrasil at the opening of the school in February 2015, de Paula said: “Through the school I’ll be able to help children have a better future and choose a path far from violence.”

The boys won't be Rocinha's only representation at Rio 2016. Street artist Geleia da Rocinha designed one of the Games' 13 official posters (above).