Written by: Jacqueline
Former tennis player Franz Sydow (28), has always been passionate about the sport he loves. Now, as the new President of the Aruba Tennis Bond, he has become a beacon of hope for Aruban tennis players seeking change and growth in their beloved sport.
THE JOURNEY
Franz's love for tennis began when he started playing the sport alongside his father and uncles. He was inspired by his family's passion for tennis and always aspired to play professional tennis. “I always wanted to play professional tennis, until I turned 18, when I realized that I wanted to play college tennis.
At the age of 14, he moved to the Netherlands to train and represent the country in the Junior Davis Cup. “I was very happy, but I had a rather unconventional route. Because of my high junior ranking, many schools tried to recruit me. I was invited to visit 5 different schools, expenses paid, to see where I liked the most.
I got recruited by the Dutch National Tennis Federation (KNLTB) to move to NL, and represent NL. When I made the decision, it meant that I had to leave my parents and siblings in Aruba.”
His fondest memory as a junior Davis Cup player was when he and his teammate, Alex Lovera, defeated El Salvador on the center court in El Salvador, despite having 200 spectators cheering against them.
The players he admired at that time was Andy Roddick; “I loved the way he served”
The most valuable lesson Franz learned from his tennis career is determination. This lesson has shaped his approach to life and leadership: "When one is determined to achieve a goal, you do everything in your power to achieve it.”
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2015
TENNIS ARUBA: THE FUTURE
Franz's motivation to return to Aruba and contribute to the development of tennis comes from his love for his family and the sport. As the President of the Aruba Tennis Bond, he aims to align current players with their expectations and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
“The potential is most definitely there. Not only that, but Aruba has always had talented tennis players, and I'm certain that there are more out there that we still have yet to find out about.”
Franz Sydow
Franz Sydow
Some of the challenges Franz has faced in his role as president include the lack of courts, division among stakeholders, and the lack of understanding of what it takes to become a world-class tennis player. He plans to address these challenges by creating a union and aligning goals among stakeholders, as well as finding sponsors that align with the values of the sport.
"To keep tennis thriving in Aruba, he has plans to organize monthly tournaments, elevate the level of coaches, and introduce "School Tennis" initiatives.
“The sport is very much alive! Just look at the attendance of all international tournaments like Wimbledon or the US Open.”
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Franz's motivation to return to Aruba and contribute to the development of tennis comes from his love for his family and the sport. As the President of the Aruba Tennis Bond, he aims to align current players with their expectations and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
Franz Sydow's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and dedication to one's passion. His commitment and vision undoubtedly create a lasting impact on the sport and the community. In his role as the president of the Aruba Tennis Bond, Franz Sydow is making an effort to create a prosperous future for tennis in Aruba. He uses his own experience as a former tennis player and his love for the sport, to guide his leadership.
His vision of unity, talent development, and the creation of a supportive ecosystem will surely have a positive impact on the sport of tennis, in Aruba.
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