The Past, Present and Future on Show at Roland Garros: Sportsvibe at the French Open

In the middle of tennis season Sportsvibe were delighted to get the chance to head to Roland Garros and not only watch the men's final, dreaming that perhaps we would watch Andy Murray win his first Grand Slam, but we were also given the chance to watch the next crop of tennis stars.

Thanks to Longines, the official timekeepers of the French Open, we would have the chance to watch a tournament that would showcase some of the finest young tennis players from around the world. Fortunately we would also have the opportunity to speak to two legends of the game, Andre Agassi (keep an eye out of our exclusive video interview) and Jim Courier.

Staying in the centre of Paris we were soon departing for Roland Garros and a day of exciting tennis with the stars of today and tomorow. While most British fans head to the French Open to support Andy Murray we prepared to  watch the next generation of British talent, a name that will surely find its way onto the backpages within the next ten years.

Sam Ferguson, a 12-year-old from Derby, is gaining his first taste of a Grand Slam on the clay courts of Roland Garros with 16-time Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer, warming up on the very next court. Most teenagers would be overwhelmed by the entire experience but Sam shows no signs of nerves as he prepares to play in the first round of the Longines Future Tennis Aces junior tournament.

The tournament brings together 16 of the best youngsters on the world junior scene with representatives from as far afield as Singapore, Spain and Switzerland. Not only are these teens given the chance to experience the grandeur of playing at Roland Garros but the winners will get the opportunity to play a doubles match with Agassi and Courier.

Undefeated within his own age group for more than two years, Sam was the obvious choice to represent Britain in this exciting international event. Playing on the same courts that the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have all graced, the young star would have the chance to see his name on the scoreboards and play in front of the raucous French crowds.

After successfully negotiating his way through the early rounds, Sam faced American Michael Chen Zhao in the quarter-finals. A combination of powerful ground strokes and a Roddick-esque first serve saw the Brit blast his way to a 4-1 4-1 victory with the first set being wrapped up in just 11 minutes.

Comfortably into the later rounds, Sam's exciting last-four clash coincided with another semi-final at Roland Garros that captured British interests. Andy Murray began warming up with Spaniard Rafael Nadal just metres away from where Sam was squaring up against the promising Swiss representative Marko Osmakcic.

As the two future stars ran through their paces atop the burning French clay, the typically boisterous French crowds attending the Men's semi could be heard from the Philippe Chatrier court, offering both youngsters a taste of what the future could potentially hold.

Both youngsters, looking far more grown up then their 12-years would suggest, proceeded to display their extreme talent with power, precision and plenty of finesse. Sam, a left-hander who models his game on his hero, Rafa Nadal, showed that he was at home on the clay courts and went about attempting to emulate the Spaniard.

Unfortunately, it was the Swiss ace that proved to have too much and we couldn't help but think perhaps this was a preview of the Men's final where another Federer, Nadal clash was on the cards. Sam lost 5-3 5-3 in a match of high quality that proved to us that Britain will definitely have another star on its hands in years to come.

Sam was disappointed to have lost in the semi-final but admitted that it had been a fantastic experience. "I competed hard but he won the big points," he told the Derby Telegraph. "There were a couple of deuce-deciding points he won and that made the difference. But it was a pretty good match. I made a few more errors and I just need to learn from the experience.

"It's obviously been a really good experience because it's a Grand Slam and it comes with the atmosphere and all those people watching. It was different to what I expected because the French Open was bigger than I thought and I didn't realise there were so many people there," added the youngster. "But the atmosphere was exactly like I thought it would be and I'm really pleased I was able to take part."

Despite missing out on a chance to play doubles with Agassi and Courier, Sam was still given the chance to have his photo taken with the pair and it was here that you suddenly remembered that he was still a teenager. A broad smile crossed his face as he met two absolute legends and for once his calm exterior started to slip.

After the tournament finished we couldn't help but think that a similar tournament should be held at Wimbledon. Unfortunately there are no plans from the Lawn Tennis Association to hold any such tournament which is a real shame for all young tennis players out there.

Getting the chance to play on the same courts your hero's have graced on so many occasions is sure to boost confidence and it is something the LTA should certainly consider. If Britain wants to produce players capable of playing at the top level and consistently appearing at Grand Slams then this tournament provides a unique insight in to what it is like to play at the very top level.

After watching the youngsters in action it was time to see what these teens are trying to emulate. Federer and Nadal in the final of any event is something to behold. Two players who have mastered the game and will go down in history as two of the greatest of all time. As we sat there appreciating almost flawless tennis from both players we couldn't help but think that perhaps in ten years time we would be back watching Sam Ferguson attempting to win the French Open. We can certainly dream.