Rising young local tennis Charvher Dael is preparing for his second run next month at the 2014 Rogers Junior National Championships in Mississauga, Ont.
The event at Mississauga's Ontario Racquet Club will be held from Aug. 16 through to 21.
Dael's rise to tennis stardom has been a quick one, arriving in Canada from the Republic of the Philippines in 2010. Since then, he has taken up the racquet more seriously and progressed in tennis circles to where he is now, preparing for junior nationals.
“My parents' families are athletic,” said the 15-year old Dael. “My dad was a good basketball player and I used to play ball with him. My mom's family played tennis and my great-grandfather was the number one tennis player in his village. My uncle convinced me to start playing tennis because I had nothing to do at that time.”
Prior to qualifying for provincials, which was played at the end of June, Dael played in three tournaments to determine his Alberta standings.
“The top eight go to provincials, and I was ranked number four in the U16 division in Alberta,” said Dael, who finished third in the provincials. “After provincials, my ranking improved to number three and I was invited to nationals.”
The Innisfail youth, who attends Red Deer's Notre Dame High School, is a member of the Red Deer Tennis Club and practices three days a week, three hours per session.
“I catch the bus after school and go straight to the club. My father picks me up around 8 p.m. on tennis nights,” said the athlete, who is aiming to become a police officer after he graduates in 2016.
But for now Dael said his parents are fully supportive of his tennis aspirations.
“They pick me up from practice, take me to tournaments, and my mom looks for sponsors to help me get to places like the nationals,” said Dael. “Last year, McDonald's sponsored my mom and I to go to go to Ontario, but this year we are not sure. Our whole family is going east for two weeks this year as part of nationals.”
While he is going to Mississauga to represent Alberta on the national tennis stage, his final placement is not going to affect his attitude.
“Going to nationals will be a good experience,” said the young player. “There are so many good players at that level, that I will be able to learn so much.
But for now, nationals loom large and he's focused on the tournament in hand.
No matter how I do, I will be doing my best and play with pride. I want to keep improving,” he said.
