Henry Choi, who turned pro earlier this summer, landed back in the winners circle Sunday at the Stanley Park Open.
The top-seeded player in the tournaments 80th year, Choi won his third Open in four years, defeating No. 4 seed Nick Coutts of Victoria 7-6, 6-2 in the championship match.
Choi, the resident tennis pro at Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club, won in 2008 and 2009 and was the runner-up in 2010 when he lost to North Vans Phil Bester. But despite the absence of Bester, ranked No. 255 in the world, Choi didnt anticipate an easy ride back to the top.
I understand what a tough tournament that is. There are a lot of good quality players, he said from Saskatchewan where he was competing in his fourth International Tennis Federation futures tournament since turning pro.
This year I wasnt sure if Id win it or not. I wasnt playing my best tennis. But if I could really control my attitude and my focus, itd give me a shot.
Choi won all five of his matches without dropping a set, a feat he says didnt reflect the grit of his opponents.
It looked convincing, but it wasnt really because a lot of those sets I was down in crucial points but manage to pull myself out. That s the difference some of the time.
Choi, who praised his Hamilton-based coach Mike Kool, said he counted himself lucky even to be in Vancouver to play in the Open. Hes been on the road for a month and a half, visiting Rochester, New York and Mississauga. The Indian State varsity player has yet to advance past the qualifying rounds in his first pro appearances.
There is more depth in the pro events, he said, noting the experience hes gained from facing the toughest draws of his career. Right from the first round, its far steeper competition.
Chois decision to turn pro was twofold: test himself first so he can better test and teach others.
Fist of all, no regrets, he said. When I stop, probably in a couple of years time, I want to make sure I can look back and say I gave it my best shot and gained as much as I could, not just for myself as a player but for coaching. When I coach my young juniors I can expose them to the experiences Ive had.
Choi came to Vancouver in 2006 from Hamilton.
