A teenage tennis player is over the moon at being handpicked by Boris Becker to share a court with the top stars in the game.

George Hart, 15, fought off competition from more than 100 other hopefuls to win a place as one of 30 ball kids to work at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November, collecting balls for the likes of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

The Chingford Foundation School pupil was tested on his agility, endurance, speed and team work at the Barclays Ball Kids National Trial in Northwood recently to win his place.

George, also a pupil at the Chingford School of Tennis in Hickman Avenue, said: “I have been watching the O2 Finals for the last three years and that really inspired me to try and be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I tried my very best, it was a tiring day but I enjoyed it and it was all worth it as I got through. I will never forget this experience.”

He was chosen by Becker alongside Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey.

Becker said: “It’s quite an achievement to get picked out of thousands of kids throughout the whole country.

“To be selected as the top 30 they really have to be good and I hear from the head coach that this year the standard was even better than ever.”

For more information about the Barclays Ball Kids programme, go to barclaysballkids.com or visit the Barclays Ball Kids Facebook page.