Chingford's George Hart was the British star at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in the absence of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray - and he admitted to loving every minute of it.

Having won a nationwide competition the 15-year-old Chingford Foundation School pupil shared the court with the cream of world tennis at the O2 arena as one of 30 Barclays Ball Kids.

Back surgery put an end to Wimbledon champion Murray’s hopes of appearing but George still rubbed shoulders with this year’s French Open and US Open winner Rafael Nadal in London.

And after playing a starring role in the capital George - who saw off thousands of youngsters to get his eight days of fame - insisted it was an experience he would never forget.

"It was so good, I didn’t want the event to end," said George, who appeared in front of 20,000 spectators at the O2. 

"I got to go on court with all the players so I was really lucky.

"The best one was the Federer versus Djokovic match, that was an intense match and the atmosphere was immense but they were really nice.

"Off the court all the players were really friendly, we got to talk with Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet and the Bryan brothers and get our photos with them which was nice.

"We were the first team on so it was really nerve-wracking but it was more relaxed as things went on. Because I am quite interested in tennis, I wanted to watch the matches but I knew I had to concentrate and do my job.

"All my friends and family are really proud of me. They were watching me on television. It’s definitely the best thing I have ever done."

Six-time grand slam champion Boris Becker helped chose George, who plays at Chingford School of Tennis, for the O2 role where he caught the eye of 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro.

Del Petro met George off the court at the O2 to give him hints and tips and the world No 5 admitted he did a sterling job for all the players involved, not just himself.

"I was 10-years-old when I was a ball boy at a Futures tournament in Buenos Aires and I remember all the players who played that tournament," said Del Potro.

"I know how big it is for the ball kids, meeting all the players, giving the balls to all of us. They are so fast, they are so good, they make our job very easy.

"I think they’re great, they’re smart, they know when we ask for our towels, our drinks and they are so professional too."

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