PROMISING tennis player Natalie Flinn was given a glimpse into the future at the recent ATP Tour Finals...and she liked what she saw.

The 14-year-old Canon Slade pupil was lucky enough to be picked as a ball girl by sponsors Barclays and spent the week on court at London's O2 Arena alongside the biggest stars in the men's game.

She sat next to winner and new world number one Andy Murray for a picture with all the ball kids after the final, and spent the tournament on duty at the net, tending to players at the change of ends and schmoozing with the celebs in the VIP courtside seats.

Needless to say, it was an experience the Stoneclough teenager will never forget.

"I think I would have to say my most memorable moment was being on court when Murray won," said Natalie, who is the reigning 18-and-under doubles champion for the North of England and also won the 14-and-under doubles title at the Scottish Junior Open this year.

"Not only were we allowed to stay on for the presentation, which in itself was incredible, but the entire atmosphere and the noise in the stadium was phenomenal.

"Also, after the trophy presentation, all the ball kids got a picture with Murray and the trophies and I managed to get next to him, which too was amazing.

"I think the experience, if anything, just solidified my passion for tennis and the dream to be in a similar situation to the men I saw in London.

"I loved being a ball girl but I would also really like to be in a position that would allow people to do that for me.

"The respect and treatment of the players by the public was at times unjust, but in general it was almost like they were gods and I would love to play in an atmosphere like I was surrounded by at the ATP Tour Finals."

Natalie has represented the Bolton Arena Tennis Academy and Lancashire in national team and county cup matches, but it was more her attitude and character, rather than her tennis ability, that helped the GCSE student beat thousands of applicants to a place in the squad of 30 ball boys and girls.

But after such making it through such a rigorous selection process, as well as a week-long training camp in Southampton before the event, she admits milking the experience for all it was worth.

"I was a 'centre' – at the net – which involved collecting balls around the court, being the middle person in getting the balls to the other end and also various other things like ball changes and looking after the players at the change of ends – getting them water, bananas, new towels and stuff like that.

"During the matches I felt excited but nervous as well.

"I was obviously aware of the fact so many people were watching me and the noise, particularly when the players walked out, made everyone tremble.

"The easiest thing was just to blank out the crowd and focus on the court and by the end of the week the nerves had almost completely gone.

"To be so close to the players was great as they have been idols of mine for quite a while.

"It was also very interesting to see up close how they played and behaved, not only on the court but towards others and off the court as well.

"At times there was so much going on, it was hard to take in and understand.

"People were shouting 'c'mon Roger' – Federer – who wasn't even there, which was slightly confusing.

"The celebrity box was right behind me when I was fielding – off court but collecting balls that may have gone into the crowd – which meant that not only could I see many famous people, but I also got to speak to the likes of Jimmy Carr, Kevin Spacey and David Beckham.

"It was not all fun and games though. At the start of the the semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori, after the first game I think, my team was finishing a shift when a member of the crowd tried to climb on court and got tackled by two security guards. It was both funny and scary as he was only a couple of metres away from me at the time."

Natalie was also kept busy away from court, helping Greg Rusedski run a coaching session for young children of Barclays customers and also taking part in a charity mannequin challenge with her fellow ball kids.

"There was so much going on," she added.

"It was very hard work but enjoyable, and definitely worth it. Most days were from around 10am to after the last match finished, which meant we got back to our hotel often after 10.30pm.

"But our base – the area we rested when we were off court – was in a nightclub so there was air hockey, table football and a Wii to play on.

"There was also loads of refreshments all day for us so we were really well looked after."