Bradford’s Serena Nash will share a court with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray after being given the thumbs up by former British No 1 Greg Rusedski at the Barclays Ball Kids national trial.

The 13-year-old Immanuel College pupil fought off competition from 99 other young hopefuls at Westway Sports Centre in London, winning a place as one of 30 ball kids to star at the Barclays ATP World Tour finals at the O2 in November.

Nash was tested on agility, endurance, ball skills, balance, speed and teamwork in the capital, and clearly did enough to impress Rusedski and Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey.

And the Heaton Tennis and Squash Club starlet admitted she is now counting down the days until he gets to rub shoulders with the likes of Djokovic, Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“The national trial was a lot of fun and you had to be really energetic, which I liked,” said Nash, who beat off competition from thousands of 12 to 16-year-olds to make the final 30.

“It is amazing how many people were there and I am just really pleased that I got chosen to go to the O2 in November.

“It is going to be a really good experience to be on the same court as the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to get going now.”

The nationwide Barclays Ball Kids search began in January with Nash, a former pupil at Blakehill Primary School, qualifying from the north west regional trial at David Lloyd Trafford.

Rusedski, who, along with Petchey, selected the lucky winners, admitted Nash caught his eye the moment she walked through the door.

“This is a wonderful opportunities for these kids because if you love your tennis then you get to see the eight best players in the world and be on the same court as them,” said Rusedski, who reached No 4 in the world during his playing days.

“Right now we are going through a really magical era of tennis stars and to think that Serena will be alongside them is brilliant.

“Narrowing it down to just 30 was very difficult but it does ensure we have the best of the best come November at the O2, and Serena certainly is one of them.”

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