FROM A DREAM TO REALITY

Kyle's passion for tennis began when he accompanied his brothers to their friendly tennis matches. With his family's encouragement, he immersed himself in the sport and ultimately earned a scholarship to play Division 1 tennis at the  prestigious Elon University. Throughout his career, Kyle admired Roger Federer for his finesse on the court and his kindness off it. Kyle's own playing style was defined by variety, consistency, and a powerful forehand. Moreover, he had the mental fortitude to stay calm under pressure.

When Kyle received the news about his tennis scholarship, he was overjoyed. It was the culmination of years of dedication, and it allowed him to continue playing the sport he loved while pursuing higher education. “ It was something I had been working on basically my entire life. So the news that I got a scholarship to play the sport that I love and basically get paid to continue my studies was a dream come true. It had the biggest impact on my life as I was able to play tennis for another 5 years, get a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, and get set up for the professional world.”

Representing Aruba, Kyle participated in the Junior Davis Cup three times, creating unforgettable memories and making his country proud. “ My top 3 favorite moments in no particular order were: winning the Junior Davis Cup for the first and only time for Aruba, winning the international ITF in Aruba as the only Aruban player in history, and winning the CAA Championship with my college team."

Throughout his journey, he made numerous sacrifices, such as forgoing family vacations and friends' birthday parties, to chase his dreams. “You face challenges and opportunities each day as a student-athlete, which is what makes you special. Time-management is key as a student-athlete, as you have to balance a full course load just like a regular student, but you also have a part-time job - tennis. By being organized, communicating with professors,  and working ahead, I was able to successfully balance my academic workload and tennis commitments."