THE next British player to take the tennis world by storm could be from Bolton.

George Morgan might not be a familiar name to anyone outside tennis circles just yet, but all the signs are there that the unassuming 18-year-old from Heaton is on course to be every bit as successful as his hero Andy Murray.

The promise comes from his natural ability, and the proof that he is the real deal is underlined by his fantastic record in the junior game.

He burst into the nation’s consciousness when he reached the final of the boys doubles at Wimbledon last summer, and since then he has added the Under-18s Orange Bowl to his CV – a competition that is rated as the unofficial junior world championships - and he has just returned to England after reaching the semi-finals of the boys singles at the Australian Open. His Orange Bowl success in Florida was the second time he won the tournament as he also lifted the trophy at Under-14s level.

He is now ranked at number six on the junior tour as he looks to begin making his mark on the men’s game.

“I am going from strength to strength now – I am playing well and I have a good team around me,” said 6ft 5ins Morgan, who moved to Bolton from Hertfordshire when he was 12-year-old to take advantage of the top tennis facilities and coaching at Bolton Arena.

“The Orange Bowl is the biggest tournament I have won so far and doing so well at Wimbledon and in Australia has given me the confidence that I belong at this level and can compete on the big stages.

“This is my last season with the juniors and I am hoping to mark it by winning one of the Grand Slams and to also get my ATP ranking up from 945.”

Morgan, who lists fellow Briton Murray and Russian Marat Safin as his sporting heroes, is based at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton as he travels all over the globe competing in top tournaments.

“Becoming a good tennis player takes a lot of time and effort,” said former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil Morgan.

“I have to sacrifice most of my social life because I travel all over the world. The shame is that I don’t get to see much of the places I go to because I am either in a hotel room or on the tennis courts.

“It was hard at first but I am used to it now.”

A bio of Morgan on a top tennis website describes him as “a naturally pacy player with a searing backhand which is fast becoming the envy of every other junior player on the circuit. His forehand is also as powerful as they come at such a tender age.”

It is high praise indeed for a player who is starting to excite British tennis fans who yearn for their first male Grand Slam winner in 75 years.

And Morgan, who is at his best on hard surfaces, is hoping to emulate Fred Perry, who won eight Grand Slams in his career, and also lived in Bolton for a short time.

“There is more pressure being a British tennis player but I just appreciate the support from the LTA and I will keep working hard,” he said.

“I am dealing with more and more stuff now, it is not just about playing a tennis match and going home. In Australia there was a lot of media that wanted to interview me after every match.

“That doesn’t bother me though, I quite like the attention really.

“I am on track to do well in the men’s game and, even though I know it is slightly different, I have a good team behind me to help me with these challenges.”

Morgan is desperately looking for sponsorship to help fund the next stage of his development and anyone interested can contact Yvonne on 07944 139423.