Article by Sport BC

Vancouver, BC – The Best of BC Award, supported by the Province of British Columbia, is presented to an individual or team thought to have represented British Columbia, nationally or internationally, in either a professional or amateur sport. To name just a few previous recipients include Christine Sinclair, Carey Price, James Paxton, and Christine Girard.

Sport BC is pleased to announce the recipient of the Best of BC Award for his accomplishments in 2019 is tennis player Vasek Pospisil. The Best of BC Award will be presented at the at the 54th Annual Athlete of the Year Award on March 12, 2020 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East (find tickets here).

PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Benjamin Photography/Odlum Brown VanOpen 2019

2019 was a year to remember for Vernon, BC’s Vasek Pospisil. After spending the first half of the season recovering from back surgery, Vasek returned to the court at Wimbledon in July. Following his return, Vasek scored his first win over an ATP Top 10 player at a Grand Slam when he upset World No. 9, Karen Khachanov of Russia in a five-set thriller at the US Open.

Vasek’s success continued when he won two back to back ATP Challenger Tour events in Las Vegas and Charlottesville before going on to play a key role in Canada’s run to the Davis Cup Finals in November. Ranked 150th in the world at the time, Vasek won three straight matches against players ranked 12th, 36th, and 48th in the world, helping Canada beat Italy, United States, and Australia. A doubles victory with partner Denis Shapovalov gave Canada its historic place in the finals of the Davis Cup for the first time. Despite falling to Spain on its home court, the Davis Cup run was thrilling for the players and the country.

In late December, Vasek was named Postmedia’s Male Athlete of the Year. Turns out 2019 was one of Vasek’s most successful in his professional tennis career and he, along with all of us, is excited for what’s to come in the future. Of his future Vasek shares, “I like to believe I still have my best tennis in me, I have a resurgence of passion for the game. This year was a different kind of adversity; one that has given me a new appreciation for the sport. I love being on the court and love the sport.”

“The Athlete of the Year Awards is a celebration of sport in our province and all of our finalists represent exceptional accomplishments in 2019. Our Best of BC Award recipient, Vasek Pospisil truly had a great 2019 and we congratulate him on his accomplishments and know he is joining an outstanding list of exceptional BC athletes who have previously received this honour,” shares Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman.

Congratulations to Vasek Pospisil on being named Sport BC’s Best of BC!

Vasek Pospisil was Tennis BC’s 2018 Male Player of the Year – learn more about Tennis BC’s Excellence Awards.

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