Written by: Jacqueline
A former tennis player, Ibian Hodgson (29), truly personifies the heart and perseverance that has led him to find success in the sport he loves. With a humble beginning, Ibian's unwavering commitment carried him to proudly represent Aruba in the Junior Davis Cup, creating a remarkable and inspiring journey.
THE JOURNEY
Ibian started playing tennis at the age of 5, inspired by his tennis-loving family. “I come from a tennis family, my grandma, grandpa, dad, sister & brother played. At a very young age I would see my brother and sister practice at Essoville with my dad and I liked it. My brother and sister were much older than me and were already practicing a bit more seriously and I tagged along.
"Reflecting on the sacrifices he had to make as a tennis player, Ibian shared, "I remember when I was 10-11 years old, I was losing a lot, and I hated that. So, together with my dad and sister, I started to train more—5 am practices before school, regular practice with my coach after school, and additional training with my dad after that. I had no talent, so my only way to improve and win was to work harder than anyone else. That luckily paid off since my opponents just practiced the minimum one hour a day."
Despite being defeated by his peers, every loss only motivated Ibian to train harder. He persisted until he finally defeated them all.
From a young age, Ibian learned that nothing could come in the way of his tennis performance, whether it was a birthday party or a social activity. At the age of 15, he left Aruba to train in Buenos Aires, where he began online schooling, leaving his social life behind. Despite not knowing Spanish well and being in a foreign country, Ibian's goal remained the driving force behind his actions.
With a playing style characterized by an aggressive and explosive approach, Ibian's main strengths on the court were his forehand and serve. He would consistently use these two shots to set up points, always trying to dictate the game and maintain control.
His first year in WJTC was also the first time Aruba ever participated. The team faced a tough pool with challenging matches, and although they did not finish at the top, they gained valuable experience. Ibian's father served as the coach during these tournaments, making the experience even more special. Ibian's favorite moment came during his final year in the under-16 category, when the team reached third place for the first time.
Offering advice to aspiring athletes, Ibian emphasized the importance of having a goal, wanting it, and being willing to pay the price to achieve it.
“He added, "You need to outwork your opponents. You need to be able to lose matches, get up, and train harder, lose again, and train even harder. You repeat this with the same intensity, and eventually, you will start to get the wins. Your passion becomes your life; I don't really believe in a balance."
His dedication and commitment to the sport paid off, earning him a coveted tennis scholarship and the opportunity to represent Aruba in the Junior Davis Cup. Ibian credits these experiences with shaping who he is today.
He emphasizes the importance of having a goal, believing that you can achieve it, and being willing to pay the price to achieve it.
Ibian Hodgson
Ibian Hodgson
TENNIS ARUBA: THE FUTURE
Motivated by his love for the sport and a desire to give back, Ibian returned to Aruba to contribute to the development of tennis. As a member of the Aruba Tennis Bond, he envisions a bright future for Aruban tennis players.
Ibian believes that to unlock their full potential, aspiring tennis players must be willing to make sacrifices and push themselves to their limits. He plans to support and develop the skills of young players by organizing more tournaments, improving coaching, and acting as a role model.
Ibian sees a bright future for tennis in Aruba. By nurturing the next generation of tennis players and promoting the sport's growth, he aims to ensure its continued success. . Through his passion and dedication, he is committed to helping shape the next generation of talented tennis players in Aruba.
"He hopes to see more Aruban players achieve success on the International stage. To achieve this, Ibian emphasizes the importance of maintaining discipline, consistency, and resilience in training and competition.
"The success stories of great tennis players like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams show that it is possible to achieve great things if you put your mind and soul into it."
Ibian Hodgson
Ibian's message to future Aruban tennis players is clear: talent alone is not enough; you must have passion, dedication, and work hard to pursue the goals and dreams you have in the sport."
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