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The Web site begs the question — "The Next Agassi?"

In an online profile describing some of his young protégés, tennis coach Joey Blake links 12-year-old Gregory Anderson of Tucson to the legendary Andre Agassi.

"Technically and fundamentally, he's very far ahead," said Blake, who trains players at Topnotch Tennis in Scottsdale. "He's one of best kids I've coached."

Seeded second among 12-year-olds in singles, Anderson will vie for a championship at the Copper Bowl, which begins today and runs through Wednesday at various sites in Tucson. Nearly 1,000 boys and girls will compete in the age groups of 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-under.

Anderson has already claimed one major victory — winning the singles title among 12-year-olds last month at the California Bowl, a national tournament. He also finished seventh at the Winter Nationals in Tucson.

Anderson recently discussed his tennis background, training regimen and a condition that caused him to undergo three major surgeries but has failed to slow his promising tennis career. He will be playing in his second Copper Bowl.

The illness. When he was 2, Anderson was diagnosed with a condition that affects his lower esophageal sphincter. The muscular ring leading to his stomach would remain open, allowing food to leave his stomach, his mother Jennifer Anderson said. Surgery closed his esophagus three quarters. Two months later, he underwent another procedure to remove hard candy that became lodged in his windpipe. A third surgery at age 5 fixed the partial closing of his esophagus after the previous closure "burst," his mom said. Anderson has not returned to a hospital for nearly three years and said he feels good.

He eats small meals and sticks to healthy food. He said he doesn't remember much about the surgeries. "I don't want to," he said.

Practice partner. Anderson spends countless hours hitting balls spewed by a red-and-white machine he has nicknamed "Roger" after Roger Federer. But the former world No. 1 is not Anderson's favorite player. Rafael Nadal is. "He hits the ball with a lot of top spin, and he can beat Federer," Anderson explained.

The coach. Anderson has trained with Blake in Scottsdale for nearly three years. For four hours five days a week, Anderson undergoes rigorous training. He must run two miles under 14 minutes, and one of his most strenuous drills requires him to run back and forth as he hits 50 tennis balls. If he misses, he must start over. "He's coached a lot of great players in the world," Anderson said.

The school. Anderson attends a home-school program through the Calvert School in Baltimore. He has attended Khalsa Montessori School in Tucson but missed 52 days of school while he traveled for tennis, his mom said.

In sixth grade at Calvert, his favorite classes are pre-algebra and chemistry/physics.

Tennis background. Anderson has been playing tennis competitively for 2 1/2 years. He played soccer and participated in karate when he was younger but shifted to tennis because of his illness. He hopes to turn professional before he is 19. "If not, he's going to get a phenomenal college scholarship," his mom said.