He has been playing tennis for only three years, but the sport has already taken Chad Croal to a higher level.
The 24-year-old, who is studying psychology at the University of Calgary, recently made the university team.
“I was in a bit of shock,” said Croal. “I wasn’t expecting much. It was a good experience, but I really had no expectations of making the team.”
Tryouts were held over three days and included playing points and doing drills. Prior to the tryouts, Croal paired up with his friend, Geoff Ferguson, and Airdrie Tennis president Chris Simmett over the summer to train and improve his skills.
“He’s a really good athlete,” said Simmett. “He came to tennis quite late, but he really loves the sport and he works really hard at it. It’s just a sport that he’s connected with and he’s at the courts all of the time.”
Croal’s been watching tennis since he was 16, and said that it was watching Roger Federer that sparked his passion for the sport and caused him to pick up a racquet.
“Federer was a player that I liked watching,” Croal said.
“Seeing it on TV makes you want to play it and it was something to do in the summer.”
The university season runs from September to March, and includes a tournament against the University of Alberta in November. The competition is something that Croal is looking forward to, but in the end he hopes to help grow his passion for the sport and the sport of tennis in Airdrie.
“Hopefully (the team) will be a good learning experience,” said Croal. “I’d like to eventually become a coach and try to raise some more awareness about the sport, especially in Airdrie. It would be great to have indoor courts in Airdrie.”
