We caught up with some of the Open players this weekend for a chat. Get to know them a little better with these fun facts below:

Jeremy Salvo: Playing in the men’s doubles semifinal

  • Jeremy started playing tennis at age 6 in Winnipeg and moved to Vancouver in 1990
  • He is currently the head coach at Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club
  • What is the difference between coaching and playing? “You need to be a lot more patient as a coach. You also need to see a different part of the game. You’re focusing on someone else, trying to help them get better.”
  • Jeremy played NCAA Division I tennis at  University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA).
  • His career highlights include playing in the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open in 2013, as well as. the Americans Master Open
  • Hobbies: Working out and driving fast
  • Three words to describe LWSPO: eclectic, enjoyable, unique

Manuel Calvo – playing in the men’s doubles semifinal

  • Manuel started playing tennis at 8-years-old
  • What do you like about tennis? “I enjoy being on the court by my self. It’s my time; just me and the ball.”
  • He has been coaching for almost 16 years and is currently the head coach at The Arbutus Club
  • Career highlights: Manuel received a tennis scholarship at Brigham Young University (BYU) and made the NCAA Individual Championships in doubles
  • Manuel played the Bryan Brothers in doubles for 3 years in a row. He also played a tough match against Mike Bryan, fell 6-4 in the third.
  • Wimbledon prediction: Federer
  • Favorite players: Roger Federer and Stefan Edberg
  • Hobbies: music
  • Three words to describe LWSPO: big, crazy, tough

Alexander Day – Playing in the men’s singles and doubles semifinal 

  • Alexander started playing tennis at 10 years old and played his first tournament at age 12
  • Graduated from Princeton University in spring 2017 with a degree in International Affairs and Public Policy
  • Best memory during his college tennis career was clinching against Mississippi for a spot into the  NCAA championship
  • Hobby: soccer
  • What do you like about tennis? “You can lose some points but still win the match”
  • What do you like about the Stanley Park Open: “Atmosphere. There are a lot of people watching and supporting local players, even more than some low level pro tournaments”
  • Wimbledon champion prediction: Roger Federer
  • Favorite shot: tweener
Cassie Chung – Women’s singles quarterfinals and doubles semifinal 
  • Current Age: 18
  • Age started playing tennis: 6
  • Club: Richmond Country Club
  • School and major: University of Connecticut, Business major
  • Hobby: sleep
  • What do you like about LWSPO? “I like the environment and that we get great competitions. It’s well organized with responsible staffs.”
  • Best memories in tennis: Playing the Canadian Nationals
  • Favorite player: Roger Federer
Kyryll Kryvchun – Men’s singles semifinals 
  • Age: 19
  • Age started playing tennis: 8
  • Hobbies: video game- Overwatch
  • Best memories: Winning the U14 Nationals  Doubles title with Jack Davis
  • Favorite player: Denis Shapovalov