Brisbane, 12 May 2017 | Millie Campbell

Archie Graham is on top of his game as the sport defines it. The 23-year-old from Ipswich is the world’s highest ranked player with an intellectual disability, and the first to win three consecutive INAS World Tennis Championships. His achievements, while nothing short of remarkable, are just the start for Graham. When he talks about tennis, he talks about progress and hard work not the titles he’s won. And when he talks about the future, he talks about competing as an equal on the mainstream tour.

Last month, Graham returned from Bolton in the UK where he defended his world title in singles, won silver in doubles, and bronze in mixed doubles. To top off his impressive medal tally, he also helped Australia win the overall team event for the third time.

“I did exceptionally well in both singles and doubles to reach the finals of both, partnering Damian Phillips in the doubles winning gold in the singles. I was quite happy with my performances,” said Graham.

“The team did extremely well too, everyone did the Aussie flag proud in all their events showing great sportsmanship and playing tennis the way Aussies do. The coaches did extremely well as well, giving us the knowledge that makes us perform at our best,” he added.

After spending a few years off court playing soccer, Graham took up tennis again in his mid-teens. His family calling Stan Cuthbert when Graham decided he wanted to play tennis, and seriously.

“I was 15. It was my family that got me into it, my grandmother, she loves tennis… I had lessons at first, I was training in my backyard, there was no club. At the time coach Stan wasn’t with a club so he did privates.”

Cuthbert, who is now based at Ipswich District Junior Tennis Association, has guided Graham through his rapid rise to the world number one ranking. Graham, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, reached the top of the world on the ID tour three years ago – but far from slowing his ambition, his sights are now set on a much broader horizon.

“I’d like to achieve a little bit more in the mainstream circuit and reach the top of Australia with all the leading players. Just go on to play on the Pro Tour around Australia. The way I’m going [I’ll be ready] next year I think,” he said.

Coach Cuthbert says while the world number one isn’t ready for the Pro Tour just yet, the plan is to start playing Australian Money Tournaments on the semi-professional circuit.

“He’s made an enormous improvement in the last couple of months. I think with his dedication he may well do it… I have a lot of faith in him,” says Cuthbert.

“His serve has become a very good weapon…and we’re working very hard on his volleys and his all court game. We want him coming to the net more and we want him attacking off his backhand.”

Cuthbert, who thinks of himself as Graham’s mentor as much as his coach, says the Ipswich player is the epitome of a perfect student.

“He’s prepared to do the hard yards. If you asked Archie to serve for half an hour and work on his technique and pay attention to that detail, he’ll do it. If you ask him to go for a run, he’ll do it,” says Cuthbert.

“Whilst, like all of us, he doesn’t like losing, he understands that to be better you need to lose sometimes. He’s a good sport.”

At 23, Archie Graham still has a lot to offer the sport. And when he isn’t on court (which takes up 4-5 hours a day) he’s just like any other guy in his early twenties.

“I like to chill back and play a bit of PS4 and socialize with friends. Soccer, FIFA, Lego Star Wars, Jurassic Park.”

His next assignment is the Queensland Clay Court Championships held in Carrara later this month, followed by an ambition-filled 2017.

“It’s going to be very busy,” he laughs.