It was not just an acclaimed new head coach, the players, a great campus or Big Ten competition that attracted Gian Hodgson to the UW men's tennis program.
Mother Nature may have been the kicker.
I'd never seen snow before, and I really wanted to experience the cold. It might sound crazy, and now I think it is crazy,\ Hodgson said with a smile. ""I really wanted to see the change of the seasons, and I'd never seen that before.""
Hodgson, in his first season with the tennis program, began playing tennis at the age of three in his hometown of Saventa, Aruba. At age 15, he left Aruba to play tennis and get a high school education at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Tampa, Fla, where he was recruited by former Badger head coach Jim Klingelhoets. He graduated in two-and-a-half years, and was ranked among the top 250 players in the world for his age by the International Tennis Federation.
Hodgson passed up several offers from southern schools and signed with UW. After an impressive 7-3 singles campaign in the fall season and a solid showing this spring, head coach Greg Van Emburgh is impressed with the freshman's improvement.
""Gian has come a long way from his first time on campus,"" Van Emburgh said. ""He's gotten a lot better this year. When he's out there, he competes hard.""
At 6'2"", 180 lbs., Hodgson uses his size to his advantage on the court. With his very strong frame, Hodgson bases his game around his big first serve and his powerful forehand. His game is much like that of ATP Tour phenom Marat Safin, a player he says he tries to model his game after.
Hodgson credits Van Emburgh, once a Wimbledon doubles semifinalist, with vastly improving his volleying and net play, an integral part of doubles play.
""Coach Van Emburgh really helps us with our volleys, he is a great doubles player,"" Hodgson said. ""I think my volleys have really improved a lot, and so have everyone else's volleys.""
Hodgson is 9-6 at No. 5 and No. 6 singles this spring, and just picked up his second Big Ten victory of the season at Penn State, snapping a personal three-match losing streak. According to Van Emburgh, it is not his individual record that Hodgson is concerned with.
""I think Gian's a great team player,"" Van Emburgh said. ""He wants to win his match so the team wins. Every win that we get becomes a team effort, and he's one of those guys who wants to be part of a team, and it's great to have him here.""
Hodgson knows the team is headed in the right direction, due to a combination of great coaching and great players.
""The guys here are really good, and we're a good core of guys,"" Hodgson said.
Hodgson's strength, confidence and team-oriented attitude combine to make his own future look bright.
""He really believes he can win matches against whoever he plays,"" Van Emburgh said. ""It's always good to have a player on the court that feels like no matter who he plays, he has a chance to win.""
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