IT’S not every day you get to trade shots with some of tennis’ most famous names.

But at the recent Manchester Masters tournament, that’s exactly what top local veteran Seb Jackson  did.

Jackson took his place on court at the Northern Tennis Club in Didsbury alongside 1996 Wimbledon mens’ singles champion Richard Krajicek, modern-day legend Martina Hingis and Masters tour stalwarts Jeremy Bates and Mansour Bahrami.

First up for Alderley Edge’s Seb was an exhibition doubles match, partnering Bahrami in a defeat to Bates and Krajicek.

Seb’s singles match against Krajicek was another loss. Although he admits that nerves played a part, he went down in a very respectable 6-2 6-4 defeat. "It was a pleasure to feel his serve," he said. "Against a serve that powerful you really have to concentrate on winning your own service games. But his grass court game was impressive, he started well and played some of the bigger points better."

After a close match against Bates, which the former Davis Cup captain won 6-2 6-4, Seb then switched his focus to the mixed doubles, where he partnered Hingis to an 8-7 victory over Krajicek and Merseyside’s Amy Askew.

"That was great fun, she is a brilliant tennis player and I really enjoyed the experience," he added.

"I was blown away by how well Jeremy Bates played, although I gave him a few easy breaks myself, but it was a pleasure to play against him. Mansour was really friendly and very funny on court, he was very entertaining for the crowd, but I managed to pull a few gags out too!"

And Seb – who won a hat-trick of indoor, clay and grass court titles last year – is now readying himself for a step to the next age bracket for senior players, after retaining his clay court title against relative whipper-snapper, 34-year-old Tom Spinks.

"I’m going into the 40s category next year and the World Championships take place in New Zealand in February so I’ll be trying to get a place for that."