But long-time Albury-Wodonga tennis coach Phil Shanahan believes it could be another five years before we find out exactly how good.

“He’s been the best player in our region for a number of years but the scope for improvement is enormous,” Shanahan said yesterday.

“I don’t think we will see the best of Lewis until he’s 22.

“He’s focusing on year 12 at the moment and after that I think he’ll really start to climb the rankings by playing on the circuit.

“Roger Federer was throwing racquets at 17.”

While Shanahan isn’t for a second comparing Ahern to Federer, he believes the right-hander compares favourably with two of his former proteges in Sam Groth and Joey Swaysland.

Not a bad rap considering Groth took a set off US player Mardy Fish in the Australian Open last year and Swaysland is one of the hottest prospects in the country at the moment.

“He’s not a big guy like Sam or Joey who really muscles the ball around the court, but he’s building up his power and has a 180km-plus serve,” Shanahan said.

“Lewis has as much talent as anyone I have coached.

“He’s got fantastic natural touch, always has.

“I remember him from a young age experimenting with drop shots and things like that have obviously helped put him on the road to becoming a good all-court player.”

Ahern, 17, is coming off the best summer of his fledgling career which included a thrilling win against Griffith hot-shot Blake Gregor to win the Margaret Court Cup under-18 title in Albury.

He teamed with Gregor to win the doubles.

Ahern also reached the semi-finals of the Wilson Open and quarter-finals of the K-Swiss Metro in Melbourne.

The Albury grasscourts have been a second home for Ahern growing up, with him taking up coaching under Shanahan as an eight-year-old.

Lewis’s brother, Alex, was a section one pennant player before switching to golf and slashing his handicap to four in three years, while his father, Maurie, is vice-president of the Albury Tennis Association.

His other brother, Marcus, is living in Canada and running adventure tours at Whistler during the Winter Olympics.

Ahern has set his sights on playing in more open tournaments in Melbourne and winning a berth in the Australian Junior Championships in January.

He also wants to travel overseas and experience tournament tennis in Europe and the US.

“After his schooling, Lewis wants to test himself in open company,” Shanahan said.

“He’s got a big couple of years ahead.”

But while Ahern seems set for bigger things, the St Patrick’s-Diggerville pennant player is keeping both feet firmly on the ground when he rates his toughest opponents.

“Beating any of the Wurtz brothers is always a good feeling, but you know they will be trying even harder to beat you the next time you play,” Ahern said.

Ahern is the latest nominee for the Norske Skog young achiever of the year award which will be announced at a dinner in Albury on March 19.