Tennis fan Christie Brackett is lining up a match against former Wimbledon champ John McEnroe when the Grand Slam tournament gets underway next week.

The 12-year-old from Canvey Island met the American legend at the Ariel Tennis Ace finals this week, where she also got to take on British number one Tim Henman.

Christie trained with McEnroe after winning through to the last 16 UK finalists for the finals day at the famous London venue.

But she failed to become the girls' winner of the event, which was judged by Henman plus coach and former top British player Jeremy Bates.

"It was a great day for her despite not being the winning girl," said a spokesman for the event.

"But she got to meet some of the leading lights of the British tennis scene and is to team up with John McEnroe again during a coaching session during the first week of Wimbledon."

Published Thursday June 17, 2004

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