Golding a future star (From Sutton Guardian)

Golding a future star

10:55am Saturday 10th December 2005

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Aspiring tennis sensation Oliver Golding succeeded where Greg Rusedski couldn't in the England versus Scotland Aberdeen Tennis Cup.

The Twickenham based 12-year-old gave his Scottish counterpart Scott Lister an 11-4 thrashing to claim a half point for England in the boy's rubber of the promotional event.

Oliver was later tipped for stardom by Scottish captain Andrew Murray, who singled him out as one to watch.

Oliver said: "I was delighted with that. Andrew is a bit of a hero of mine so that was great to catch his eye. I aim to be able to beat him by the time I am 16, or maybe 18 at the latest."

Oliver was a surprise choice to play in the competition, picked out by cup sponsors Fred Perry.

He has made the final of the National Championships two years running but chooses not to play on the British junior circuit so he is only ranked 81 in the country in his age group.

The youngster combines tennis training at his mother's Garden Club in Twickenham and the Riverside Esporta Club in Chiswick with an acting career and is currently starring at the London Palladium alongside Tommy Steele in Scrooge, playing Tiny Tim's brother Peter Cratchit.

Sandra Golding, Oliver's mother and former tennis coach, believes her son's stage experience helped him rise to the challenge of performing in front of the Sky TV cameras and the 3,000 patriotic tennis fans who packed the arena.

She explained: "We didn't know it was a proper professional match until we got there and met Greg Rusedski at the hotel.

"I was a bit worried for him because we knew his opponent was a good player, but Scott seemed to freeze in front of all those people.

"Oliver comes alive on stage and he literally blew Scott off the court. He was on fire."

Oliver's efforts had little impact on the result of the tournament, which Scotland won 4-2.

Andrew Murray won the crucial rubber, beating an injured Greg Rusedski 10-1 in the deciding tie break after the match proper ended 4-6, 6-4.

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