Coffs Harbour’s Joshua Burns claims three titles at NSW Closed Country Championship Junior tennis

A precociously talented Coffs Harbour boy has sent the tennis world into a spin after a rare triple treat at the state country championships.

Joshua Burns with the spoils after winning three titles at the NSW Closed Country Championship Junior event at Forster.

Small in stature but brimming with natural ability - Coffs Harbour kid Joshua Burns is on the trail of some of the biggest names in tennis after a display of dominance at the NSW Closed Country Championship Junior event.

Run over five days - this year at Forster - the tournament is ranked as the most prestigious in country NSW.

Past winners include Tony Roche, Mark Edmondson, Jason Stoltenberg, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Jan O’Neill (nee Lehane).

Joshua, a nine-year-old year 4 Bishop Druitt College student, did the nigh unthinkable in winning the 10 years singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles.

Not bad for a kid who’s a relative newcomer to the sport after picking up the strings only two years ago.

Joshua Burns enjoys some play time at Forster after the tournament.

“He’s got that competitiveness in him,” Joshua’s dad Jason Burns said.

“He’s just taken to it like he was meant to take to it.”

Joshua (right) with other trophy winners after the NSW Closed Country Championship Junior event at Forster.

As a sporty kid, Joshua has thrived in a host of pursuits - swimming, athletics and taekwondo.

“But tennis is my favourite because I like playing with family and friends,” the youngster said.

Joshua practising with his dad Jason on a hit-up wall back in the day.

At Forster, Joshua walked away with three titles - same as he did at last year’s NSW State Country Nippers Championships (despite competing there with a broken arm in a cast).

The pocket rocket’s rising tennis fortunes have seen him named in the NSW ‘Super 10s’ side which is a pathway to the national development squad.

Joshua poses for a shot with a cardboard poster of Rafael Nadal.

Capping off a successful school holidays on court, Joshua won the singles at the Seaside Open Tennis Championship at Sawtell.

Coached by Coffs Harbour’s Tony Polack at England’s Park tennis court, the boy wonder was on tenterhooks this week watching the final stages of Wimbledon, and his favourite player Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard announced himself as potentially the start of a new era as he took down the All England king Novak Djokovic in five sets.

Joshua hopes to emulate that evolution on the home front, cheekily announcing “I am” to the question of who reigns supreme as the best player in his family.

“He’s got it all over me,” conceded dad Jason, who was more than handy as a junior player.

Joshua has set the bar high in his chosen sport.

“One day I want to be number one and win some slams,” he said.