Baildon’s Alice Copland couldn’t hide her delight after getting up close and personal with the cream of world tennis at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals last week.

Having won a nationwide competition, the Guiseley School pupil shared the court at the O2 Arena with, among others, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, as well as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

And after her week in the spotlight with the Barclays Ball Kids, Copland, 15 – who saw off 2,500 other children to get her 15 minutes of fame - admitted it had been an experience to savour.

“The week was absolutely incredible,” said Copland – who appeared in front of 35,000 spectators a day at the London event and also shared the court with Federer during his final-winning performance.

“I was really nervous the first time I went on but then I got used to it. Being on court for the top eight players in the world was an amazing experience, just seeing how fast and athletic they were.

“I don’t get star-struck but being that close to the players was amazing.”

And former world No 1 and three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, who was among those to select Copland during the initial stages of the competition, was quick to praise the Heaton Tennis and Squash Club member.

“The kids were great on the court all week,” said Becker.

“It’s not an easy task; they have to train a lot and be much more disciplined and be very fit.

“They were being watched by millions of people with thousands inside the arena. It was a nerve-racking thing and they did very well.”

* For more information on becoming a Barclays Ball Kid at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, visit www.barclaysballkids.com.