ALEXIS Canter wants to become one of the best juniors in world tennis after picking up his first professional ranking point.

The 17-year-old, from Long Wittenham, who is hoping to receive a wildcard for the Junior Championships at Wimbledon, which begin on July 4, achieved the milestone at an ITF futures tournament in Egypt.

He will find out next week whether he will receive a wildcard from the Lawn Tennis Association for the main draw.

After winning through qualifying at the Soho Square Egypt F20 Futures in Sharm El Sheikh, Canter beat American Drew Van Orderlain 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 in the first round.

That victory earned him his first point in men’s tennis, despite being knocked out in the last 16 by Belgian Julien Dubail.

He said: “In the long-term scheme of where I want to get to, getting that first point was the biggest step.”

Ranked 2,012 on the ATP World Tour, Canter is the second best under 18 player in Great Britain and 108th in the ITF junior rankings.

With a year to go on the junior tour, he is eyeing breaking into the top ten over the next 12 months, ensuring direct entry into grand slams.

He said: “If I stay the ranking I am at the moment I think I would be No 36 when the top year drop off, but I want to get up higher than that.

“I want to be top ten by the end of next year. I just love playing tennis and I want to be a top player winning grand slams.

“That just drives me forward.

“I have a deep desire to do that and you can’t get to that level without working hard.”

Canter was beaten in the first round of qualifying for the boys’ singles at Wimbledon last year, and believes he is better prepared this time around.

He continued: “If I am lucky enough to get a wildcard that would be an amazing opportunity.

“I did well last year. It was an experience, and I am a much better player coming into the event this year.”

Canter, who trains at the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre in Abingdon, has been practising on the grass at North Oxford LTC.

And he faces Ravi Patel in the second round of the Aegon British Tour event at the Banbury Road club today.

He has also received a wildcard into the main draw of the Nike Junior International at Roehampton, which starts on Sunday.

Since Wimbledon last year, Canter has won back-to-back singles titles in Cyprus, the under 16 crown at the British National Championships and a doubles tournament in India.