Melbourne, 7 December 2010 | Damian Terbiler

Rising tennis star Jason Kubler was crowned Queensland Junior Sports Star of the Year at the Osport 16th Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday night.

It was the first time a tennis player has won the coveted award, with past recipients including Liezel Jones, Jodie Henry, and Jason Day.

Kubler currently trains with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Pro Tour program. The program promotes excellence in tennis and is designed to be the pinnacle of athlete development within Tennis Australia’s player pathway.

Reaping the rewards of his hard work, the 17 year old had his most successful year to date in 2009, leading his junior Davis Cup team to victory alongside fellow up-and-comers Luke Saville and Joey Swaysland.

Significantly, the Davis Cup triumph made him only the second player to have completed a junior Davis Cup campaign without the loss of a single match. That victory itself contributed to a 36-match winning streak for the Queenslander who amassed six ITF junior titles in Fiji, Thailand, Japan, Korea and Australia.

Last year, Kubler was also a winner in the December Showdown, defeating compatriot and close friend Ben Mitchell in the final of the Optus 18s Australian Championships. Later that summer, Kubler competed in his first ever senior Grand Slam match, receiving a wildcard into the Australian Open to make him the youngest entrant in the 2010 main draw. Despite bowing out to Ivan Ljubicic with relative ease, the future appeared bright for the Queenslander.

A year down the track and Kubler’s talent is gaining even more recognition.  Accepting the award with great enthusiasm, Kubler asserted that it was a great achievement in his young career.

“This has definitely been a major highlight in my short career.

“I am really honoured to be named Queensland’s junior sports star of the year, especially since I am among so many other top athletes here tonight.”

Looking ahead to the summer, Kubler is eager to compete on home soil.

Obviously my long-term goal is to become the world number one in open men’s tennis.

“But my short-term goals are to play well in the December Showdown this week, play in my home town at the Brisbane International and, of course, compete at the Australian Open.

“I am really happy with how I have been playing this year and I look forward to seeing what 2011 will bring.”

Kubler now awaits the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off beginning on 14 December at Melbourne Park.