David Macpherson, who carved out a career centred around winning 16 ATP doubles titles from 1990 to 2003, is keen to offer Barnett a tennis scholarship at George Washington University.

Macpherson splits his time coaching on the professional circuit, which includes the 16-time Grand Slam winners Bob and Mike Bryan, and on the Washington DC campus since his college appointment last year. 

“The timing seems to be quite good because possibly I have some players leaving my college, not this year coming but by the end of 2018,” Macpherson said.

“It’ll be a different college season and Ben would be will be eligible to come to college then, so I am hoping we can make something happen.

“As the head coach there, it is my responsibility to find new players and recruit from anywhere in the world.

“So it seems like a nice idea to bring someone from my part of the world to help them get a great education and to get a tennis career.”

He reached out to the Barnett family on the advice of the teenager’s Launceston coach James Bolzonello.

But the 49-year-old is reserving his judgement on Barnett’s future in the game.

“I haven’t seen him play yet face to face,” he said.

“It’s too early to say, but he had some real good results.

“He’s got a ranking that is clearly climbing and I feel like there is potential there I want to see grow.”

Barnett announced himself after his Pardey Shield win – 75 years since his grandfather John won the same Tasmanian Easter title – and earning Tennis Tasmania’s male junior of the year. 

Bolzonello believed playing the NCCA tennis circuit is “the right move for Ben”.

“What that does is you have professional training and a high-quality matchplay, and that way you get a greater sense of what you need to be doing to become a professional player,” he said.

“There are a lot of players who come out of the college system with a degree, but obviously being on the circuit and being quite competitive.”

The move that follows the footsteps of Andy Roddick and James Blake would fulfill Barnett’s burning ambitions. 

“As a young kid I have always wanted to be a professional, but as I’ve got older that has changed a bit – I’m pretty keen on going to America,” Barnett said.

“I like the fact that you can keep up the high level tennis and improve, and then come out the other end with a full university degree.”