A TENNIS progidy who almost binned her racquet has been awarded a massive $100,000 scholarship deal.

Kate Green plays at Sundridge Park in Orpington and attends the North Carolina State University in America.

Originally from Charlton, she has been signed up by the university to play in their team for four years.

The student, 19, will get around £51,000 to cover training and tuition fees.

Kate said: "Before going to Sundridge, my mind was set on going to university in England to study exercise and sports psychology and not necessarily playing tennis.

"However since coming to Sundridge and meeting the coaches, I really started to enjoy playing and as their joy for tennis and coaching rubbed off on me, I felt the motivation I had previously had coming back.

"Therefore after finishing my exams in June 2005 I started to play everyday with Alastair Filmer and have lessons weekly, which was my highlight of the week.

"After a month I had changed my mind about tennis and thought I didn't want to waste my talent."

She said: "I knew if I went to university in England I would hate it and would come back every other day to play at Sundridge.

"My decision was helped by Alastair and Andy who suggested going to America and so I talked to Will Shaw and Nick Cavaday about their experience at NC State university."

She added: "They then recommended me and now I am here and I know it was the best decision of my life.

"I am so glad I came to Sundridge because i wouldn't be playing now if I hadn't made the change."

Kate has made a great start, winning both of her opening matches in the US.