The list of tennis royalty to play on Wimbledon’s famous courts is never ending, and next month Ben Stoolman will join their ranks.

Stoolman, who plays for Bledlow Ridge Tennis Club, has beaten off competition from players across the county to win the Buckinghamshire Regional Qualifier of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon challenge.

The 12-year-old will spend the next week watching his favourite tennis players at the SW19 tournament on TV, and is looking forward to getting the chance to replicate them in August.

“It’s a great feeling to qualify for Wimbledon – the County Finals were really tough and I can’t quite believe it,” Stoolman said.

“It will be great to get the experience of playing on the Wimbledon courts and I am really excited. I think it is going to be very different to what I am used to.”

The regional qualifier took place at the Bucks Indoor Tennis Centre in High Wycombe and saw the Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School student come through a testing weekend of matches to qualify.

The challenge is only likely to get tougher at Wimbledon as the country’s finest players under the age of 14 face-off between Thursday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 13.

Stoolman is eager to try and replicate his favourite professional players at Wimbledon and is relishing the chance to play against high quality opposition.

“My favourite players are [Rafa] Nadal and [Novak] Djokovic because I like the way they play and their attitudes,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to representing Buckinghamshire and Bledlow Ridge Tennis Club and testing myself against the best in the country on grass.”

Qualification for the showpiece event at Wimbledon has been no fluke and Stoolman trains four to five times a week to hone his skills.

His father, David, has been by his side throughout his journey to Wimbledon and is brimming with pride at his son’s achievement.

“Ben has been playing since he was nine and picked up a racket by himself after watching the tennis on the TV,” he said.

“He plays a lot of tournaments and that is where he learns the most. He is out there all on his own and that can be quite a challenge, but he really enjoys it.

“I am very, very proud of him to go to Wimbledon and experience what it is like to play there. It will be a great day for everyone involved.”