Max Jones has made an instant impact after quitting Sussex for America.

He intends to become a professional but has decided to pursue his ambition abroad because he is disillusioned with the British set-up.

Jones, 18, has started a four-year scholarship at New Mexico University and this week swept to the final of the senior Albequerque Open in his debut tournament.

He beat a world top 600 player in the semi-final to set up a final showdown against American Andrew Irvine.

Speaking from Albequerque, he said: "I arrived just over a week ago so to achieve something like this so soon is amazing.

"I decided to come to the States because I was convinced it would help me realise my dreams in an affordable way.

"My first impressions are that I've made the right move.

"You get so much motivation. I'm part of a team and we each push each other on in practice.

"I think the coaches like the way I play a big serve and volley game."

It is in stark contrast to the support he received from the LTA in England.

He is still seething after being overlooked for a wild card into Junior Wimbledon, despite eye-catching form which included winning an ITF event in Tunisia and won the LTA Masters Under-18s Series.

Jones also reached the quarter-finals of the National Under-18 Championships before jetting to the States.

A small racket sponsorship from Dunlop aside, Jones was funded entirely by his family and his father Trevor estimates it cost £15,000 a year for coaching, accommodation, equipment and clothing.

But in America, Jones gets three hours a day practice, everything is thrown in free and he flies to tournaments with the college squad.

Jones said: "I was getting next to nothing in the way of backing in England.

"It was disheartening and I didn't feel I was getting anywhere.

"I still wanted to make it and knew I could. But my family couldn't keep on supplying me with money.

"That is the big reason why I went to America and it couldn't be more different for me now. The backing is superb. The universities are highly-funded."

Jones believes he has more of an American attitude when it comes to tennis.

He said: "The difference between England and America is that in England we hope to do well but in America they expect to do well.

"I am not a person who conforms to English expectations. It is not the taking part that counts, it is the winning. I want to win and am very disappointed if I don't.

"That's why, although I had a good tournament to reach the national quarters, I wasn't that happy."

Jones was in two minds about going to the States.

He said: "I had been excited and looking forward to it but I must admit that the night before flying out I had second thoughts.

"But on the first day I knew I'd made the right decision. My coach picked me up from the airport and helped me get settled.

"In the next few days I spoke to many athletes and I was made to feel welcome.

"There are roughly 1,000 athletes out of the 24,000 students at my university.

"It does not compare to English universities. Sport back home is not a priority and not important.

"I am highly impressed. The environment is perfect for school and tennis, the girls love an English accent and the weather so far is immaculate."

Jones has made the right decision to base himself in America says former Sussex junior champion Jon Monk, who went to Toulane University and the University of New Orleans for four years.

Monk, 25, from Brighton, who played against Jones and won the county senior crown, said: "It's the right thing for Max to do if he hasn't got any real funding in England. I had a great time."