Alice Barnes aims to make a big impact as she begins her full-time journey into the senior tour's wonderland next year with the help of her Sussex support group.

We are not talking Mad Hatter or any other of Lewes Carroll's magical creations here, but top coaches and exclusive facilities. The 16-year-old leading British junior is coached by Nigel Sears and Clare Wood, who both live in Lewes, and is based at the Brighton Health and Racquets Club.

Alice, who lives with her coach's family, said: "I have improved out of sight and want to come out in the new year and show everyone by just how much."

Her New Year wishes are to play the junior singles at the Australian Open in Melbourne next month before playing WTA Tour Challengers at Sutton and Bushey in February and making her senior Wimbledon debut in the summer.

She has already undergone intensive coaching at the club mainly with Sears, who coached world-class Amanda Coetzer at Falmer.

"I have been given a free membership and we have a court to ourselves. Nobody on the circuit knows what we are working on and hopefully I can surprise everyone.

"We've worked on so much. Basically when we started I was clueless about what I needed on the senior tour.

"All the coaches I had previously set me British standards, Nigel has set me international standards. He knows what is needed. He has worked on all aspects of my game."

Alice, who moved from Cambridge to Sussex, is now in South Africa with Sears preparing for the Australian events where Wood, the former British No.1 from Rustington, will join her.

She said: "I've already had a few sessions with Clare and we get on really well. She's helped me a lot. It is a huge committment by the LTA, Brighton Health and Racquets Club, Nigel and myself, but it needs that for the effort to be a success.

"For my part, I have given up the chance to do A levels and go to university so I want to make the most of it. I am certainly enjoying the sun in South Africa, it is ideal to prepare for Australia and beyond.

"The big test will come when I start playing the Challengers and I'd love to make my senior Wimbledon debut."

Alice, who has reached the second round of junior Wimbledon two years running, wants to become a top 20 player. She will be limited to 13 Tour events next year because of her age but is aiming for the stars.

She said: "My main aim is top 20, but I have short term goals like the top 200 and then the top 100."

Sears, the former British Davis Cup No.2, has also coached Barbara Schett and sees Alice's potential.

He said: "It is unfair to start comparing her with the likes of Amanda and Barbara as they are leading players, but I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't think she was a good prospect.

"She's very strong, 5ft 9in, with a good serve. She's smart with a good all round ability and can attack. She could do well at Wimbledon.

"It's the mental side that really needs working on because she's on the nervous side and gets tight. She needs to believe in herself more.

"We can improve that by getting her more match experience. The more she does hopefully, the better she'll feel about herself."