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Jesse Witten has won professional tennis tournaments. He’s played in a grand slam. And he’s trained with U.S. Davis Cup players.

Now, the 25-year-old former Lely High and University of Kentucky star and his coach feel like it’s time to make more of an impact.

“I’ve kind of set myself up for a great year and I need to do it,’’ Witten said after an exhibition with former Florida Gulf Coast University player Franco Mata, now at the Port Royal Club, at The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort on Friday morning.

“Now’s the time. I’m getting a little older. I have the experience now. I think I’m ready for this year and I’m excited about it.’’

New coach Dustin Taylor can see Witten turning the corner.

“Different players it takes different amounts of time to adjust to life on the road, to playing every week, 40 weeks out of the year,’’ Taylor said. “It’s a lot more tennis than he’s ever played tournament-wise. Keeping the morale high and staying positive is the toughest thing for the guys when they’re first on the tour.

“And this is his third year. Usually the third year is the charm.’’

Last year, Witten dealt with illness and injuries, but closed the year by winning a tournament in August in Tulsa. Perhaps not by coincidence, it was his first with Taylor.

“I’ve been through two coaches that didn’t really work out,’’ Witten said. “Dustin, I knew the guys he was coaching. I knew him; I played against him in college. It was kind of a lucky thing when he came around.’’

Taylor, a former All-American at Tulsa, knew of Witten from his junior tennis days and saw firsthand what Witten was capable of at Kentucky, where he became a five-time All-American (four singles, one doubles).

“He’s one of the best juniors in the country and one of the best college players of all time,’’ Taylor said. “Now we’re hoping he’s going to be one of the best tour players.’’

Watching Sun Sports beginning on Saturday could remind Witten of just that. The Swingtime charity tennis exhibition that was played at The Players Club & Spa in November will be shown. Witten beat tour player Mardy Fish.

“It was great to get called in and even better that I won,’’ Witten said.

The goal is for Witten to get into the top 105 in the rankings by the end of 2008. That’s a big jump considering he’s at 230 in the rankings going in.

“The first six months, I’m trying to make a good push,’’ Witten said. “Last year, I didn’t really pick up too many poitns. I had some injuries, so I was out a little bit.’’

The top 105 would put him in the main draw for the 2009 Australian Open. He skipped qualifying for this year’s Australian to rest up and get in some matches closer to home.

“We’re going to play a fair amount of tour events this year, and qualify for the three remaining slams,’’ Taylor said.

Witten will leave on Sunday for a Challenger Series event in the Miami area. And then the grind begins.

“This tournament leads into a big long list of them,’’ he said. “That’s usually how the year goes, back to back to back. You try not to get burned out. You try to keep going.’’