Gunnedah tennis prodigy Gabby O’Gorman has served it up all over Australia and been to France in pusuit of her on court destiny, but will now step it up as she takes on a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn her passion into a career.
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The teen has secured a four-year sojourn in the United States starting in August next year, although she plans to arrive six weeks early to get settled, as well as have a look around her new home base.
O’Gorman will stay at State College, Pennsylvania, and will train and compete with the Nittany Lions while the other freshmen are from Sweden, Denmark and America.
It is sure to be far removed from what she has experienced so far, although the ace is always up for a challenge.
“I’m really excited at the moment, but I’m pretty sure I’ll get nervous,” O’Gorman said.
As for how the opportunity came about, O’Gorman referred to her friend Britt Huxley, who has spent time in the US for tennis pursuits.
“I didn’t know much about it until she went over,” O’Gorman said.
“She loved it, and she encouraged me to give it a go. I thought why not?”
Despite hearing a lot from Huxley, O’Gorman said she tried not to have preconceived ideas, and would just “play it by ear”.
O’Gorman visited the US several weeks ago and checked out three colleges, with Penn State University her choice, although she remains undecided which course to pursue.
Having recently finished her Higher School Certificate, O’Gorman said she would play in a lot of tournaments and “do a bit of work here and there” between now and the start of her journey.
The on court star didn’t sound too concerned about possible homesickness, as she intended to visit home around Christmas time each year.
She had particular praise for her mother Trish, and coach Dale Martin, both of whom have been huge influences.
“I can’t even remember when I started playing tennis. Since I could stand, apparently.”
“I just love being a competitor, and I love the sport.”
O’Gorman said she largely followed in the footsteps of her mother, who played her way all tyhe way to the top as a youngster as well, claiming the national number one ranking as an U18 player.
Of all her achievements to date, O’Gorman rated two as standouts: being runner-up at the Australian Grass Court Championships at Mildura in 2013, and winning the Monte Carlo Junior Open girls U16 in 2014, and now the Aussie star is keen to add plenty more to the highlights reel as she steps up to the next level.