Ellesmere Port’s Eden Richardson was the British star at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in the absence of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray – and she admitted to loving every minute of it.

After winning a nationwide competition the 15-year-old former Whitby High School pupil shared the court with the cream of world tennis at the O2 as one of 30 Barclays Ball Kids.

Back surgery put an end to Wimbledon champion Murray’s hopes of appearing but Richardson still rubbed shoulders with this year’s French Open and US Open winner Rafael Nadal in London.

And after playing a starring role in the capital Richardson – who saw off thousands of youngsters to get her eight days of fame – insisted it was an experience she would never forget.

“It was great, there was such a great atmosphere and it was such a great experience for me,” said Richardson– who appeared in front of 20,000 spectators a day at the O2.

“I was on court with all the top players.

“It’s crazy because you look up to them and then you’re on court with them.

“I was a bit nervous, especially when I was on court with Nadal because he’s always been my favourite player and he smiled at me, which was great.

“When Roger Federer played Novak Djokovic, the crowd was unbelievable, they were so loud but you are so into it and wanting to do things right for the players that you just concentrate really hard.

“Thankfully it all went really well and I didn’t make any mistakes. It was definitely the best thing I’ve done; it’s going to be really boring to get back to school now.”

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

Del Petro met Richardson off the court at the O2 to give her hints and tips and the world No.5 admitted she did a sterling job for all the players involved, not just himself.

“I was 10 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,” said Del Potro.

“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. I think they’re great, they’re smart, they know when we ask for our towels, our drinks and they are so professional too.”

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