A young wheelchair tennis star has his eyes set firmly on becoming one of the best players in the world.

At only 11, Ian Payne, of Dean Street, East Farleigh, is being tipped as a future international prospect after recent competition victories. He is now aiming to compete in the 2012 Paralympics.

Ian, who is quadriplegic, has played wheelchair tennis since the age of four and last year won the 2008 national junior doubles title.

Winning the competition “felt massive” says Ian, who was also awarded with a training grant at Maidstone Council’s Youth Sport Achievement Awards earlier this month.

And he added: “I really want to get to the 2012 Paralympics but if I can’t make that then I’ll go for 2016.”

Although not as well-known as standard tennis, wheelchair tennis is arguably a harder sport, and Ian says his success is down to years of hard work.

He said: “When you receive a serve you have got to turn the chair around; you have to keep moving; keep going. Sometimes when I’m moving I have to change my grip.

“My movement and shots have improved so much.”

Dad Robert Payne, also a keen tennis player, agrees with his son.

“It’s movement around the court” he said. “A big thing is to keep momentum because if you stop then to get going again is difficult. You have to move, hit, turn and go again in one movement. It’s a lot to think about; there’s a lot of technique.”

He said the 2012 Paralympics were “a long shot” but added: “He hasn’t given up on 2012; it’s not impossible but I would have thought 2016 is realistic.

“He’s finding a road in life that’s is pretty full considering his disability and not letting that stop him doing anything. Tennis is his main sport but he does lots of other things too.”

He also thanked coach Zane Cheeseman from Horsmonden Tennis Club, adding: “The whole club has been fantastic - Ian is accepted as just another member.”