FOR most kids, being number one at their school in their chosen field but would be a big deal, but Wagga's Jobe Dikkenberg has taken his claim to fame to a whole new level.
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On the back of some super performances against older kids, Dikkenberg has rocketed to the number one ranking in Australia.
Dikkenberg can boast not only holding the number one ranking in his eight-year-old age group, but also in the nine-year-old grouping.
The eight-year-old is also ranked number three in Australia for 10-year-olds.
It has been a rapid rise for the young gun, who first started having a hit when he was three.
His number one status has come about through playing in the under 12 division, it being the only way to secure an official ranking.
After some impressive wins in the under 12s, Dikkenberg is chuffed to be sitting at number one in Australia.
"It's good. It just sort of happened," Jobe said.
He said playing in the under 12 age group is a challenge.
"They hit it harder than other ones," he said.
"They have harder serves, which are harder to get back. They hit it harder."
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Jobe is no stranger to playing against older opponents with his elder sibling, Elijah, also a talented tennis player.
The number one ranking helps with Dikkenberg's seedings at tournaments, and can open doors if he can hold the position as he gets older.
A left hander, Dikkenberg idolises Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and one day wants to join the professional circuit.
"I like doing drop shots and serves," Jobe said.
Dikkenberg's talent has already been noticed and he travels to Canberra once a month to train at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
The Mater Dei Primary School student has a tournament coming up in Canberra where he hopes to consolidate his ranking, and has some options in Melbourne or Sydney after that.
Meantime, Elijah is currently ranked number eight in his age group and is preparing to compete at the upcoming clay court nationals in two weeks time.
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