COUNTY performance officer Rob Booth is tipping teenage starlets Pete Shaw and Richard Irwin to be the next Dorset players to make the Wimbledon grade.

And if successful, the boys would become only the sixth and seventh players in recent Dorset history to grace the hallowed turf of SW19 in either the main or junior draw of the famous tournament.

Shirli-Ann Siddall is the county's most prolific export at Wimbledon, qualifying for the ladies singles championships five times between 1992 and 1997 before bowing out to former world number four Helena Sukova in the first round in her final appearance four years ago.

Colette Hall also featured in the main draw during the 1990s while Lee Sabin, Caroline Hunt and Giles Gibson all took their bows in the under-18 event.

However, with Wimbledon fever about to sweep across Britain once again, Booth now believes Shaw and Irwin have what it takes to add their names to the Dorset Hall of Fame.

Seventeen-year-old Shaw, who trains with Andre Mewett at David Lloyd Ringwood, reach-ed the quarter-finals of the national under-16 championships at Telford last year and plays on the Girobank Tour.

And West Hants star Irwin, 15, enjoyed a successful indoor National Grand Prix campaign this winter culminating in an appearance at the 16 and under Masters at Welwyn in March.

Both boys have made the decision to pursue professional careers with gaining an ITF world ranking their immediate focus. And Booth admits the sooner they ob-tain the rankings, the quicker they can begin their climb towards the world's top 100.

He said: "I believe with a bit of determination and dedication, Richard and Pete could reach the under-18 championship at Wimbledon next year. The three attributes any top player needs are hand-eye co-ordination, good athletic ability and mental toughness and the boys have these in abundance.

"If they want a professional career now is the time to start. Pete has spent this winter getting himself totally physically right because playing tennis full-time is unbelievably demanding.

"Richard's got a very solid all-round game. He's got a good touch, hits the ball beautifully and volleys well, he's just got to build up his strength."

Booth also believes Shaw and Irwin's success can act as inspiration to other young players throughout the county. He added: "Emma Bennett, Sian Roberts, Anna Sharp and Stephen Trapp to name a few are a bit younger than Pete and Richard but also have the potential to go all the way.

"It's a very exciting time for Dorset tennis and from my point of view, there will be nothing better than seeing these guys make the grade."