Local teen Diego Quispe-Kim had a training session with Tennis New Zealand’s high performance director Christophe Lambert (left) in Ashburton on Wednesday. Quispe-Kim’s father and coach Juan Quispe-Chavez and Ashburton Tennis Centre head coach Andre van Rooyen (right) were also present. Photo Adam BurnsAn elite tennis coach who has mentored some of the game’s biggest names believes local teen Diego Quispe-Kim has the talent to shine on the world stage.

Tennis New Zealand’s high performance director Christophe Lambert was in Ashburton this week where he worked alongside the young tennis wunderkind.

A focus on the technical nuances and game strategies were the focus during a two-hour session at the Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre on Wednesday.

Before Lambert was appointed to the high performance role earlier this year, he had been Tennis New Zealand’s national coach for two years.

The 14-year-old has been on Lambert’s radar since he first became involved with Tennis New Zealand.

“I’ve been following what Diego has been doing because he is one of our national champions,” he said.

“Diego has raw talent which makes things very interesting.”

The French expat has more than 25 years of high performance coaching experience and has schooled the likes of three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.

He also coached current US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in 2016, only a year before the Canadian turned professional.

Quispe-Kim’s prowess on court has seen the Ashburton College pupil collect a plethora of trophies both locally and nationally.

He has received coaching from Lambert previously, however this was the first time Lambert had travelled to Mid Canterbury especially.

Lambert said the youngster had the potential to exceed not just in New Zealand, but internationally.

“He could do very well in New Zealand and could do very well on the world stage,” he said.

“The issue is we need to provide him with a good environment so he can thrive and so he can do well at the international level.”

Although Quispe-Kim was blessed with a prodigious skill, Lambert said there was still plenty of work to do around the technical and tactical elements of the sport.

“He is a young kid,” he said.

“He’s got natural talent and a good feel for the game.

“He will also need to improve his physicality too as he probably won’t be a tall player.”

He added that the mental side of the game will also be a consideration during Quispe-Kim’s development.

“At the beginning of your career, he needs to be better in every area to reach the next level.

“He’s got something which many other players don’t have and that’s the love of the game and he’s got the talent.

“That’s something you can’t teach and you can’t coach.

“Now he’s got to learn the other sides outside of that.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 27 June 2020