Diego Quispe-Kim gets his forearm going during the Kiwi Indoor Junior Championships in Christchurch a fortnight ago.Photo supplied.Diego Quispe-Kim has added to his overflowing trophy cabinet with another national title.

The 14-year-old tennis talent took out the under-16 Kiwi Indoor Junior Championships singles event in Christchurch a fortnight ago.

The latest accomplishment comes a year after the highly decorated young star, who is a member of the Fairton club, dominated the under-14 singles competition at the corresponding event in 2019.

It is understood it is the first time in decades that a junior has won both the under-12, under-14 and under-16 Kiwi indoor titles.

Quispe Kim’s coach and father Juan Quispe-Chavez said he was very pleased for his son.

“It was very unexpected, because he only went to Christchurch for a trial,” he said.

“He did really well.”

He again was in commanding touch as the top seed qualifier did not drop a set across the tournament.

His march to the final began with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Zino Varouhas-Poole before beating Jack Chapman 6-0, 6-2.

It took less than an hour for the teen to prevail over Liam Barrett in straight sets.

His final opponent, Finlay Emslie-Robson, was forced to retire through injury, after losing the first set 6-1.

Quispe-Kim’s father said that he observed even greater progress from Diego, both physically and mentally, on the court.

“He’s getting taller and he’s playing smarter.

“He’s also very calm and composed on court.”

The Mid Canterbury teen has been working closely with mental wellness coach Pete Smith (The Coach Smith).

After a somewhat disrupted season, Quispe-Kim is building up a good head of steam ahead of the under-18 National Junior Championships in December and next year’s Junior Davis Cup.

Earlier this month, Quispe-Kim won Junior Male Player of the Year at the Tennis Canterbury awards.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 21 August 2020