A GRASSROOTS tennis player from Harpenden had the experience of a lifetime last week, when he took to the courts with former British number one Tim Henman.

Corin Superfine, who is currently battling leukaemia, played the match during the prestigious AEGON Masters tournament, held at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 42-year-old teamed up with Henman to narrowly beat fellow competition winner Martin Home and former top 10 player Peter McNamara, seven games to six.

Corin, who was diagnosed in 2007, said: “Friday could not have gone any better. I played with Tim and we won and to finish off the game we had a lovely rally, so it was absolutely brilliant.

“As I’m not very well, they allowed me to take lots of breaks and they also managed to keep the score quite even; I’m not sure if that was intentional, but it made for a great game.”

Despite facing further intensive treatment, Corin was determined not to miss out on the challenge match.

He continued: “Of all the professionals here at the Masters, it was really special to be able to play with Tim at the Royal Albert Hall and I will remember it forever.”

Henman, who defeated Thomas Enqvist to win the ATP Champions Tour final at the event, described Corin as an inspiration.

He said: “To see how well he is playing out there is great. It is obviously hard work for him, but he had his whole family here cheering him on.”