This terrific tennis player may only be 15, but she has already travelled the world thanks to her remarkable racket skills.

Emily Gibbens has been commanding courts with her volleys and serves since she was nine.

The teenager, from Kendall Avenue, Sanderstead, was at one point ranked number three in Britain for her age, only for a stress fracture last year to stop her in her tracks.

But the determined youngster is back to full fitness and has earned a place with the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) AEGON FutureStars Programme, which supports and funds the best juniors in the country.

Emily, who spends around three hours every day on court, said: "I love tennis, I always want to play and practice.

"I started it for fun, did a summer course and began to play more and more.

"It came quite naturally, although it does involve a lot of commitment. But my friends and family are really supportive."

Emily has already played in Norway, Germany, France, Spain and America.

She added: "I don't normally get nervous, I just get out there and concentrate on the game.

"Sometimes if I go abroad I get a bit nervous, but usually I sort of lose myself when I'm playing.

"When I started I never thought I would be playing in all these different countries.

The young star, who trains at Sutton Tennis Academy, says Russian Maria Sharapova, who won Wimbledon at the age of 17, is her favourite player.

She said: "I think I play a bit like her. I'm quite aggressive on court, and I make a few grunts and screams when I play.

"I would love to be a professional tennis player when I am older, I only hope I am as successful as her."