A BUDDING tennis star got to rub shoulders with some of the games greats as he was selected to be a ball boy at a pro tennis tournament in the USA ahead of the Olympics.

Lydiard Park Academy pupil Matty Morgan put in the leg-work for the Boston Lobsters during their home matches at the World Team Tennis Competition last month.

He met American Olympic hopeful John Isner, as well as former world number one’s Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis.

The 14-year-old, who plays at county level, said their tips had helped him improve his game and he was inspired to try follow in their footsteps.

“It was great to meet the players on the tour because I’ve always wanted to,” Matty said.

“I was out in Boston two years ago staying with my auntie and my friend entered me into it.

“I got accepted this year and was a ball boy for the Lobsters at their home games.

“I had to go out to Boston late so I didn’t miss school and so I didn’t get to do the training session but I learned form watching the first few games and picked it up.

“You have to do a lot of running if you’re at the net and you have to be quite fit.

“It was really good to meet John Isner and we spoke to him quite a lot – he was nice and really helped me with my game. “I would love to play professionally like them.”

World Team Tennis features some of the biggest names in the professional tennis playing together in a mixed sex format, which gives fans, players and sponsors a chance to see the game like never before.

Each match consists of five sets and each set is made up of a different configuration, such as singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

Matty, of Grange Park, who stayed in Boston with family during the trip, said he has been following the Olympics but is unsure of Andy Murray’s potential to win the gold medal.

Murray beat Nicolas Almagro of Spain in the last eight to gain a place in the semi finals, but Matty has predicted Swiss legend Roger Federer will take gold.

“I think Federer is going to win the Olympics,” he said.

“ Murray might make the final but he’ll have to beat [Novak] Djokovic,”

For more information on the competition log on to www.wtt.com