Aron Pilbart, a former Penticton Tennis Club member, continues to add success to his playing resume.
READ MORE: Serving up national bronze
Gilbert, who now resides in Vancouver, was second at the 2016 Under 12 Outdoor Rogers Junior Nationals in Mont-Tremblant, Que., on Aug. 29. Pilbart lost the championship, 6-3 and 6-3.
“It was amazing experience because I had a pretty tough draw as well,” said Pilbart, who is ranked fourth in Canada for U12 boys and recently earned a full clothing sponsorship with Quebec’s ionik, along with his Wilson equipment sponsorship. “Not only was it a great experience, I also made it far.”
Pilbart said a year ago he wasn’t even close to competing in nationals. After his family moved to Vancouver from Penticton, he played in his first national event and finished third. He said it was a chance to prove to himself that he could do it again and said it was a good feeling.
Pilbart is now attending a U.S. Tennis Association camp at Flushing Meadows in New York, which hosts the U.S. Open. He said it would be a great experience. He is at the camp representing Team Canada. Pilbart, who has played for Team B.C. said “now it’s even better to represent Canada.” His goal is to win nationals.
He will then head to Florida for the Eddie Herr International Junior championships Nov. 23 to Dec. 4. The Eddie Herr website states the tournament “has served as a springboard to the professional tennis tour for such names as Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova” to name a few. Pilbart will also compete in the Orange Bowl Junior International championship from Dec. 11 to 20 and jrorangebowl.org states “it is one of the most important and prestigious junior tournaments in the world.” It brings together more than 1,500 of the top ranked male and female 12-and-under and 14-and-under players from more than 76 countries.
