By Luke Baker

Bromley tennis youngster Nell Miller believes her game will come on leaps and bounds after a lesson from former British number one Tim Henman at Wimbledon.

Miller was at the All England Club on Saturday to learn some tips of the trade from Henman as well as playing a few points against the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist.

The 15-year-old earned the opportunity after reaching the final of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge last summer.

Miller, who trains at Bromley Tennis Centre, spent a week playing at SW19 last August, winning both the national singles and doubles finals.

Her strong performances gave the Bullers Wood School pupil the chance to train with Henman, while 1999 ladies champions Lindsay Davenport was also on hand to hit with, and Miller admits it’s an experience she will never forget.

“It was really good to play with Tim and Lindsay – it was just amazing to be able to do something like that,” she said.

“I’ve never done anything like that before, so it was my first time. I didn’t play that well but it’s alright.

“It definitely taught me how to play on grass better and it was interesting to see how the professionals train.

“I won both singles and doubles at the finals last year and I just remember the amazing experience that we had.

“It was amazing to spend a whole week at Wimbledon, a real privilege because I’d only ever been here as a fan.

“The aim is hopefully for me to go professional and I think I’m on the way towards that.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & under Challenge began in 2002 and is an All England Club junior event initiative supported by the LTA.

It has now expanded into Asia with a pilot scheme run in India seeing events held in Delhi and Mumbai.

It is the largest junior tournament in the UK, involving some 850 clubs, parks and schools with youngsters annually bidding to reach the national final at the All England Club.

And Henman admits there was plenty of talent on display from all of last year’s finalist, including Miller, on Saturday.

“I was very impressed with what I saw from all the kids out there,” he said. “I’ve been involved with HSBC Road to Wimbledon for about 13 years now and the standard gets better and better every year.

“The programme is about accessibility, grassroots and the participation but hopefully some of these youngsters out on the court will progress as well and maybe get back here as professionals one day.”

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 & Under Challenge is the UK's largest national junior grass court tournament and forms part of HSBC’s investment in the stars of the future.

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt