RISING tennis talent James McCabe broke a record when he was invited to train at Tennis Australia's national talent development camp at the end of May in Canberra.
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James, 9, plays at the Illawarra Tennis Centre at Rockdale with his coach Steven Colley.
He joined 15 of the most promising boys in the 10 years and under age group.
At the five-day camp, James broke the national Beep Test record for under 10s: level 12 (stage one).
James, a sporting all-rounder, has already made a name for himself.
At the 2013 Australian Open semi-final between Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer in Melbourne, James was selected by Tennis Australia to toss the coin.
James, from Rockdale, said he was very happy to be part of the training camp.
"It was a great opportunity to meet and learn from the best mentors and coaches from around the country," James said.
"The experience has really motivated me to continue working hard and improve my tennis.
"My coach and I have a lot to take back and develop now in our own time."
The camp was designed to give the athlete and their private coaches training experience and professional development with the help of Tennis Australia staff, private coaches and leading Talent Development coach mentors such as Gary Stickler, Pat Rafter's former coach.
The Trinity Grammar student is talented in a variety of sports including swimming, cricket and football, but said his favourite sport was tennis.
James' recent tennis achievements include winning the Super 10s NSW and Medibank Age Championships 10 years and under.
In swimming he qualified to represent NSW in seven events at the Australian Junior Swimming Championships in Adelaide in September.
He trains under Trinity Grammar School swim coach Dave Roberts and is their school's cross country age champion, as well as being in the cricket and football teams.
