Charvher Vincent Dael came to Canada as a bright-eyed preteen from the Republic of the Philippines in 2010.
Like the rest of his family, he was looking at the opportunities Canada could provide.
His primary goal in his new country came with a tennis racket. His hero was and still is Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, holder of 17 Grand Slam titles and considered by many as the greatest tennis player of all time.
“He plays like a veteran. He knows a lot of stuff, and he has a real high IQ for tennis,” said Dael, who is now 14 years old and one of Alberta's top-ranked U-16 tennis players. “Canada has more opportunities than the Philippines when it comes to tennis. You can join the International Tennis Federation here. It is a way you can participate in bigger tournaments, a bigger stepping stone.”
Today, Dael has found the bigger tournaments. This month he is taking another big step towards the big time of tennis. He has entered the Rogers Junior Nationals tournament in Mississauga, Ont., from Aug. 17 to 23.
This year he outgrew the U-14 class and the fourth-place Alberta ranking he had. Now, he will play against bigger, quicker and more skilled opponents in the U-16 class. He is currently ranked eighth in Alberta in the U-16 category.
Dael has come a long way since he was shooting basketballs for fun and exercise back in the Philippines.
“My uncle convinced me to play tennis because I had nothing to do at that time. I used to play basketball with my dad but he decided to move here. My uncle convinced me because on my mom's side there are tennis players,” said Dael, who often practices with his 16-year-old sister Pathemae. “I am very proud of my progress. I have done a lot of hard work with my game. I take tennis lessons at the Red Deer Tennis Club.
“If I have nothing to do, I go to the Innisfail tennis courts and play tennis and jog or whatever I can do,” he added. “Sometimes I am alone and sometimes I will play with older men.”
Dael admits his power game still needs more work, but believes he can have an edge against his competition with the mental side of the sport, confusing his opponents with a variety of strategic trick shots.
In the meantime, he is still adjusting to his new country and the many other opportunities Canada and Alberta provide.
In September, he will be entering Grade 10 at Red Deer's Notre Dame High School.
“I am kind of excited and nervous. I haven't tried it yet. I have no experience in high school,” said Dael.
That might be true, but if Dael shows the same admirable determination, hard work and progress at Notre Dame that he has on the tennis courts it is reasonable to expect he will do just fine.
