COULD this be the next Wimbledon Champion? The prospects are looking good for nine-year-old Theodore Purkis of the Lea, who has just become the number one in the country in his age category.

A pupil at the Grange in Monmouth, Theodore started playing at just five years old and he hasn't run out of steam yet. He clearly loves being on court and can pack a punch when he's hitting those balls over the net. "He trains very hard," said proud mum, Michelle, "He attends the Oxstalls academy in Gloucester most days and does his homework in the mornings before school."

In the last few weeks Theodore has had a string of victories, winning at Manchester and Cornwall he won two events, in the orange ball and green ball, at Newquay. At his biggest event so far, at Queenswood, Hertfordshire, he played against the top 24 boys in the country. "It was the perfect day," said Michelle. "with fantastic weather, a big crowd and Wimbldom referees, Ray and Cath Lovell. Theo got off to a fantastic start, winning his group stage box. All day he managed to stay focused, staying cool and calm headed." The standard of his opponents was extremely high, yet he reached the final and won.

At his most recent national event last weekend in Scotland, he scored another fantastic achievement against the best boys in the UK.

Craig Cook, Theo's coach said: "he has an excellent work ethic. He is dedicated to tennis and wants to play." And what does Theo have to say: "I just love playing tennis."

Theo would like to thank his coaches, Oxstalls tennis academy, the LTA, Mrs Thomas head of the Grange, and, finally, his mum and dad.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.