Ben Stone has no problem competing against older tennis players.

In fact, the eight year old has flourished since moving up an age division as a United States Tennis Association player.

“The future looks bright for Ben,” said coach Brad Tate, a United States Professional Tennis Association pro. “He is one of the most mentally tough and competitive players I have ever worked with."

A third grader at Monarch Elementary School, Ben was the Boys 8 Singles Champion at the Spartanburg Athletic Challenger in July.

A month plater he played up an age division at the Riverside Junior Challenger in Greer.

Though only eight, Ben then decided to enter the Boys 10s and reached the finals. After playing at the Boys 10 level again and making it to the finals once more, he won the title at the Greenwood Country Club Finals.

“I was just a little nervous playing the older kids,” Ben said. “I like tennis because its is one of the more athletic sports.”

He is scheduled to compete again this weekend in Spartanburg at the Wofford Junior Tournament.

Ben began playing tennis two years ago. He started playing when given a choice to choose one sport.

“He loves all sports. Everything and anything,” mother Lisa Morrow said. "I told him he couldn’t play every single sport that was offered. We asked him and he said ‘how about tennis?’”

In addition to spending hours on the court each week, Ben excels at academic projects, Morrow said, and is in advanced programs at school.