WOOTTON Bassett’s Emma Hancock loved every minute of rubbing shoulders with the stars at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Having won a nationwide competition the 16-year-old, who plays at Wootton Bassett Tennis Club, shared the court with the cream of world tennis at the O2 as one of 30 Barclays Ball Kids.

Hancock – who was chosen over thousands of youngsters to get her eight days of fame – said it was an experience she would never forget.

“I was so nervous before I went on the court for the first time but I’m really happy with how it went,” said Hancock – who appeared in front of 20,000 spectators a day at the O2.

“I just tried to forget that so many people were watching and got on with it. I was on court when Novak Djokovic (who defeated world number one Rafal Nadal in Monday’s final) played Roger Federer, which was intense.

“They were really friendly and thanked me when I handed them their towels.

“All my friends and family were spotting me on television; they recorded it for me so I can look back at it later on.

“I just tried to make the most of the experience, it was definitely one of the best things I’ve done. It was just an unreal few days.”

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker helped choose Hancock for the O2 role where she caught the eye of 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro.

Del Petro met Hancock off the court at the O2 to give her hints and tips and said: “I was ten-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.

“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.”

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