Cameron Norrie should be in the States now, studying sociology at Texas Christian University. He is only one year away from finishing but graduation is on hold for this 21-year-old student.

Instead the little-known British No 6 is in London to chase his dream in the hope that he can make a living out of it. The cap and gown can wait.

‘I felt this was the right time,’ says Norrie, one of three Brits to be handed a Wimbledon wildcard for the men’s main draw. ‘In America it’s four years to graduate and I have a year left. I can go back.

Cameron Norrie contested the Aegon Championships at Queens Club earlier this week

‘I might do a few online classes while I’m playing in the pros but I’m going to have to put it on hold. Maybe one day I’ll get my degree.’

One thing is certain, the £35,000 cash he is guaranteed just for turning up at Wimbledon will help. Win in the first round and that rises to £57,000. Win in the second and it’s £90,000.

They are dizzying numbers for Norrie.

So far his total earnings in tennis add up to less than £42,500 – barely enough to cover costs for travel. In a day or two’s work, that can be doubled or tripled at Wimbledon.

‘Having come straight out of college, it is a big change for me,’ says Norrie, who is ranked 235 in the world. ‘It’s such a prestigious tournament. It’s a dream come true.’

Norrie’s journey to SW19 has been unusual.

Born in South Africa and brought up in New Zealand, he got into tennis by playing squash with his British parents on their driveway, perhaps explaining his preference for outdoor hard courts.

Norrie then travelled to London as a teenager and lived on his own at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

‘I wasn’t enjoying it that much,’ he says. ‘It was really tough to leave my family.’

Next month, the British No 6 goes straight into the Wimbledon draw after receiving a wildcard

Now in Texas, he is to fly the flag for Britain at Wimbledon, despite only officially turning professional in June.

In his very first week as a pro player, Norrie went up against world No 75 Malek Jaziri at the Aegon Surbiton Trophy – and won. It caught the eye of those at the All England Club.

Yet one question remains, does he see himself as British?

‘I class myself as a Brit,’ Norrie says without hesitation. ‘Both my parents are British. I’m happy to play for them. My dad is fully Scottish with a filthy Scottish accent. I feel British.’

It is not your typical gap year for a student, but Norrie is hoping this is where his career will truly take off.