WIMBLEDON begins on Monday - with a tennis starlet from Dunnington no doubt looking for tips ahead of his own moment in the SW19 spotlight.

World number one and two-time champion Andy Murray will again spearhead the British charge when this year’s Championships get underway.

And watching on closely will be 13-year-old Jack Batchelor, who himself has secured his own spot at the world-famous venue.

The Fulford School pupil triumphed at last weekend’s HSBC Road to Wimbledon North Regional Qualifier in Ilkley at under-14s level, and he will now play in the national finals at the All England Club between August 14 and 19.

He admits he can’t wait for his own chance to step on the famous grass courts.

“It’s amazing to go and play at Wimbledon," he said. "I’ve been there to watch many times and now I just can’t wait to get out there. I don’t normally get to play on the grass that much so it’ll be a fantastic experience.”

On his qualifying success, he said: “I think I played well. I served well, returned well and just kept it up, I was solid and played and took the big points.

"I didn’t make too many errors and kept the ball in court, but I want to build on playing more shots at the net.

“I didn’t go in expecting to win it, I just took each game as it came. The event is unique, it puts a bit of pressure on you to win and almost gives it that bit more of an edge."

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge forms part of HSBC’s investment in grassroots tennis, with more than 10,000 youngsters taking part in the series each year.

Batchelor is hoping this summer is the start of his own journey to the top.

“I’ve been playing the sport now for seven or eight years. I play a bit of football but mainly I focus on tennis,” he added.

“When I’m older I’d like to go to an American university and play there. Quite a lot of the older players from my club have done that.

“I got to play on the grass a bit here, but it was tough. It’s a lot faster than a normal hard court and the ball bounced unexpectedly and I didn’t always know quite what it would do. But now I’ve had that experience I’m just buzzing to play down at Wimbledon at such an iconic venue. My parents are pretty pleased.”

* HSBC is the Official Banking Partner of The Championships and is committed to supporting grassroots tennis, helping to inspire the next generation of Wimbledon stars to take their tennis careers from the back garden to Centre Court through the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge. @HSBC_sport