A very interesting article, I think - it's from Scotland on Sunday, one of our two national Sunday broadsheets. Tennis is covered well in it.

Up and coming: Joanna Henderson

to practise, practise, and then practise some more, if she wants to make it to the top of the women's game. Her favourite female player is Justine Henin, the Belgian who recently retired at 25 the latest in a long line of premature departures.

Henderson, Britain's top under-14 player, says she understands why so many retire so young, "because of all the hard work and effort the top players have to put in." But she quickly adds that she relishes "the hectic part of it I think it makes me more mature and prepares me for the future."

A glance at her recent schedule suggests she is already living the dream, so to speak. In fact, this weekend is highly unusual Henderson is at home in Aberdeen. She even managed to attend school on Friday.

"Just a day," she laughs but the first in a while.

Tomorrow she leaves for London and a tri-nations tournament between Britain, Belgium and Holland, then she is off to Belgium, Italy, France and, on 18 July, Edinburgh, for an ITF under-18s tournament.

"This is the most hectic part of the season," she says, "but I like the travelling aspect. Generally all we see is tennis courts and airports, but when in Paris last year we got to visit the Eiffel Tower that was good.

"The last few weeks," she adds, "I've been training at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, working with my coaches. It's a good environment to be in because you're around people like Andy (Murray]. It's a privilege and I feed off it.

"The support you get is amazing," she continues.

"They're starting to bring kids in who are much younger. Rather than being good players who are 13 or 14, they're ten or 11, and they've come through talent ID programmes. They might have talent, but you're taught not to let that go to your head. It's still all about hard work."

There she goes again hard work. She is someone who refuses to rest on her laurels, or rely purely on her talent, despite already boasting an impressive CV. As well as being British No.1, she comfortably won the British 14-and-under Masters, and represented Britain in the Winter Cup in February.

Yet it was her performance this April, in an ITF under-18s tournament in Nottingham, that she selects as her most significant to date. "I got to the quarter finals of the singles," she says, "and although I didn't win, playing so well against girls four years older than me was very encouraging. I think that was the moment when I really thought I might be able to make it."

The following year will see Henderson attempt a difficult balancing act, with tennis and Standard Grades vying for her undivided attention. "I want to do well in my exams," she says, "and put them behind me, then become a full-time tennis player. It'll be a difficult balance but I've kept up with school-work.

I'm given work when I'm not at school though I try to do it before I go away rather than when I'm at tournaments. That's too difficult."

A highlight of her career so far came in 2005, when she was invited to line up alongside Andy Murray for Scotland in the Aberdeen Cup. "I loved that experience," she says. "It gave me an insight into playing in front of a big crowd, and I really, really enjoyed it. It's definitely something I want to experience again, hopefully playing in Grand Slams."

It will take hard work and good luck. But as Henderson has realised, the two can often go together.

FACTFILE

NAME: Joanna Henderson

DATE OF BIRTH: 25/02/1994

AGE: 14

BORN: Aberdeen

KEY MOMENT: "It wasn't a title I've won but an ITF under-18s tournament in Nottingham this April. I got to the quarter finals against players four years older than me. It was very encouraging and showed me I can step up in the age groups."

INSPIRATION: "It has to be Andy Murray. I first met him in 2005 at the Aberdeen Cup and he was really nice. I see him at the National Centre in Roehampton and he's very chatty and encouraging. The fact he's done so well is really encouraging for everyone in Scotland. You think: if he can do it, why can't I?"

ASPIRATION: "I want to play in all the Grand Slams and do well but my dream is to be world No.1. Everyone dreams of that I suppose, but it would be amazing."