He is ranked 60th in the country and second in the county for his age group but Callum Edworthy was number one at this year's Derbyshire Tennis awards.
In the past year, the 12-year-old has reached the finals of two major county tournaments – the Derbyshire County Closed Festival and the Road to Wimbledon – and feels he has "really improved his game".
And this was acknowledged as he scooped the Derek Wardle Memorial award for the most improved junior player at the ceremony at Pride Park Stadium.
The youngster – whose father, Marc Edworthy, played for Derby County – said his love of tennis was matched only by his passion for football.
But Edworthy, who plays for Littleover Villa FC, said: "I'm really happy to win an award and particularly the Derek Wardle Memorial award, because it is very special.
"It's been a good year and I think I've really improved my game. I'm thinking more where to play my shots and I've tried to improve my serve, to make it more of a weapon."
And his mum Becky, of Littleover, said: "He's done very well and his attitude towards tennis is incredible.
"I think his love for it comes from me, while his love for football comes from his dad. But he's very good at both and, in December, Callum will move into the under-14s for tennis, so it's an interesting time."
Courtesy of Derby Telegraph