Huxley happy to hone her tennis game in US College system

GRAFTON tennis coach Phil Beckman watches a video on his phone, then peers up and smiles at 19-year-old tennis star Brittany Huxley.

Grafton tennis star Brittany Huxley on one of her visits back to Grafton from the United States, where she attends the University of Arkansas. Photo JoJo Newby / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Jojo Newby

GRAFTON tennis coach Phil Beckman watches a video on his phone, then peers up and smiles at 19-year-old tennis star Brittany Huxley.

The pride in his eyes is impossible to hide.

The recording shows Huxley when she was still in nappies, clinging to the fence of the Grafton Tennis Courts and peering on as Beckman played a match with her older brother.

It's safe to say that tennis is Huxley's life.

"I've been playing tennis forever," she said.

"Phil has known me my whole life and has been my coach since I was six."

Huxley was back in her hometown yesterday, exactly one year after she packed her racquet and moved to the United States to study and play tennis at the University of Arkansas.

"I've been there a year now. It feels like time has gone so quickly," she said.

"It's so good to come home but I was struggling with the heat a bit."

When Huxley last spoke to her American friends, they advised the temperature there had dropped to -19°C.

Huxley will head back to America tomorrow in readiness for the tennis season.

"It will be an intense season that's for sure," she said.

Huxley, a part of the eight-player university team, will play at least one match every weekend.

"I like the team playing," she said.

"It's different to here in Australia but it's good to be on the court and have the girls in the team around you to support you."

Huxley said it had taken her a while to settle into life in America but she is looking forward to going back.

"The first time I went over it was quite scary," she said. "But it's taught me to juggle everything on my own, all of the basic skills I need to start my life."

The young tennis star is also studying primary school teaching.

"I'll be in America for another three to four years but I do plan to come back to Australia afterwards," she said.

"I'm hoping to do one year of Masters over there as well."

Huxley said she was happy with her grades but said study could prove difficult during the tennis season because of travel.

"I'd recommend it to anyone, you can't really do uni and sport together in Australia," she said.

Originally published as Huxley happy to hone her tennis game in US College system