Tennis Opens Doors from Argentina to National Champion

Three years ago, Santiago Villarruel left his hometown of Benito Juárez, Argentina, with nothing but a tennis racket and big dreams. 

Introduced to tennis as a 7-year-old by his father, who played padel, Santiago's early enthusiasm with the sport became a lifestyle. He spent his teenage years playing in Argentina’s junior circuit and made the transition to the professional ranks with seasons playing in France and Germany.

However, Santiago longed for something more: a combination of education and playing competitive tennis.

That led him around the globe to Georgia Gwinnett College, even though he was unfamiliar with speaking English or the American landscape.

“It was tough,” says Santiago about making the adjustment to attending GGC. “Tennis gave me doors to open. My teammates, coaches, and the entire GGC community assisted me every day.”

One of those making the transition smooth was Head Coach Hannah Keeling, who was impressed with Santiago's playing potential, highly competitive nature, and popular personality.

That hard work is paying off on the court. Santiago’s stellar play in singles and doubles has helped the Grizzlies win the past two NAIA national championships and No. 1 seeding for this year’s postseason tournament, scheduled to begin for GGC on Wednesday, May 13, at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Alabama.  

The junior has an 11-2 record in singles and a 17-1 mark with doubles teammate Jeremias Rocco this season. The Santiago-Rocco tandem is ranked No. 1 nationally in the NAIA by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Overall, his GGC career record is 40-3 in singles and 46-6 in doubles, and he has been a two-time NAIA All-American. He earned ITA doubles All-American team honors in 2024 and won the last two NAIA doubles national championships at the ITA Cup.

 Santiago’s highly competitive nature comes from his upbringing as young tennis standout in Argentina, where players learn to play the game with grit, patience, and strategy. Meanwhile, American players concentrate on extremely aggressive and fast play on the court.

He has combined both styles to elevate his game – to the benefit of the GGC tennis program as the 2025 team’s captain. 

In the years ahead, Santiago’s own destiny is tied tightly to the game of tennis. He would like to become a coach or work within the sport, preferably staying in Georgia, where he can continue supporting the program that has supported him. “I feel that when I graduate from GGC, I'll have no regrets,” he says. “I gave it everything.”

Keeling’s words of advice for Santiago has been simple, but profound: “Never change. Be the same person you are, passionate, intelligent, and a genuine leader. If he continues to build that family feeling wherever he goes, he will be successful.”

From a young Argentine boy who walked around with a paddle racquet to emerging as a national champion and highly respected leader as a Grizzly, Santiago Villarruel is a real-life testament to determination, gratitude, and the life-changing power of sport.