By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 14:20, Monday, 08 February 2010

Carlisle tennis coach Suzzi Garnett is jetting off to the USA to fulfil her dream of working overseas.

Suzzi Garnett

The former Trinity School pupil became bitten by the tennis bug while watching Wimbledon on television as a child and has been obsessed with the sport ever since.

Suzzi, 22, of Newfield Park, said: “I was about 12 and I was watching Wimbledon and I decided that I wanted to play. I begged my parents to let me have lessons.”

Suzzi joined Chatsworth Tennis Club, had lessons and started playing properly.

As she got a bit older she began to coach both adults and children.

She said: “I am quite young for a coach but there are a lot of young coaches in Cumbria. I qualified when I was 18.”

Suzzi, who is a big fan of British number one Andy Murray, currently works for Carlisle City Council and teaches adult classes at the Bitts Park air dome.

She still plays for Chatsworth Tennis Club.

She said: “I have always wanted to work abroad and I apply for most of the overseas jobs on the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) website. I applied for one in New Jersey on the east coast and got lucky. I am very excited about living and working in America.”

Suzzi’s will jet out at the end of March to start her nine-month contract.

She said: “I’ve been on a holiday to the west coast of the USA before but never to the east coast.

“I’m looking forward to seeing New York and Philadelphia."

Suzzi hopes to extend her visa in November and travel around the USA for a while.

“I don’t know what will happen after my contract ends. I want to travel for bit and then we’ll see.

“My family and friends are looking forward to flying out to see me. I’ll be living in a house with other coaches and I hope to get to the US Open this year.

“I’m just thinking about the good weather and tan I’m going to get!”

Paul Frampton, from Carlisle City Council's sports and recreation team said: “We wish Suzzi all the best for the future.

“She is a very talented coach and I'm sure she'll excel in her new US role.”

First published at 11:24, Monday, 08 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk