"I probably would've gone to Otago or Auckland [universities] and tennis would've been pushed to the side. It would've been hard just finding time and being motivated to play," Muller said.
"I always wanted to be in an environment where the training opportunities are endless and where I'm going will definitely provide that. So this is where it gets serious."
For young talent with aspirations of following dreams, Tennis New Zealand CEO Steve Johns agrees resources are limited.
"What the college pathway gives them is three or four years of quite intensive tennis that they just couldn't get if they went to university in NZ. It's a pathway that we really encourage," he said.
Muller modestly admits it was his academic record as well as his sporting achievements that attracted two scholarship offers. The second coming from South Carolina's Coker College.
"The degree is priority. But if I end up doing really well [at tennis], which there is nothing stopping me from doing if I work hard, I might be able to make it as a tennis player. But I know how hard it is to make it as a tennis player."
Wendy Sykes, who has coached Ben since the age of 10, knows first-hand the opportunities a scholarship can present. She was awarded one to the University of Arizona at the age of 18.
"I don't see athletes as something we own. Our job as coaches and as sports people is to find the best pathway for each individual and make sure that we're giving them the best opportunities," Sykes says.
Sport Northland Chief Operating Officer Brent Markwick agrees that top athletes need strong competition, and that is where scholarships help.
His organisation launched Educare Northland Sports Talent Hub in May this year to identify and nurture promising young athletes. The programme provides sports science, physio and nutrition resourcing to enhance their development.
While Johns supports the talent hub he still encourages scholarships as a pathway for young Kiwi athletes.
" I think it is the job of the regions to identify that talent and it's then up to the national body to get them in to a programme where they are getting access to regular and consistent training," he said.
Meanwhile, Muller is preparing for college life in 'The Prairie State' and looking forward to serving a few aces academically and on the tennis court.
