RISING star Simon Pearson will take on the world's best under-16 tennis players in New York next month.

The Heaton 15-year-old earned the all-expenses paid trip with a starring show in leading his Liverpool Tennis Centre two-man team to victory in the British Championships at Nottingham.

Simon, a member of Markland Hill Tennis Club, did not drop a set in winning all his four matches in the victory over Nottingham, London and Belfast in the final to win a place for himself and his partner David Hardman of Liverpool, in the world final in America.

The competititon will run alongside the US Open and the Bolton School pupil will rub shoulders with his heroes as he stays at the same hotel as the world's top senior players.

Simon has made impressive progress over the last 12 months with 11 tournament victories and regards his latest triumph as the highlight of his career.

His long term objective is to make a living out of the game but his immediate attention is focused on his first ever trip to foreign soil.

"I've never been abroad before and it should be a tremendous experience," he says. "I'll be playing some of the best players in the world at my age. But it doesn't worry me.

"I'll give it my best and then then look ahead to the nationals and hopefully I'll be able to go full time next year."

Simon is hoping for a quick completion to plans for an indoor facility near to Bolton Wanderers' new Reebok Stadium which will cut the expense of regular trips to Liverpool to train - and he is also on the lookout for sponsorship to help him achieve his potential.

He needs to cover clothing, equipment, coaching and travelling expenses and is hoping for a deal which would see him wearing his sponsors' name in return.

Anybody interested in helping him can contact his father Leonard on Bolton 844611.

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