Shapovalov grows up fast, uses Davis Cup incident to mature

Apr 14, 2017
Betting Central

Pick of the Day: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev, ATP Finals

By Zachary Cohen Nov 15, 2024
Social

WATCH: Retired soccer star Diego Forlan officially makes Challenger debut in Uruguay

By Baseline Staff Nov 14, 2024
Social

PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal arrives in Malaga for final career event at Davis Cup Finals

By Baseline Staff Nov 14, 2024
Betting Central

Pick of the Day: Alex de Minaur vs. Taylor Fritz, ATP Finals

By Zachary Cohen Nov 14, 2024
Style Points

Carlos Alcaraz breathing “a little bit better” in Turin, thanks to new pink nasal strip

By Stephanie Livaudais Nov 14, 2024
Lifestyle

Holger Rune doubles up on vacation time with epic off-season trips to Dubai, Maldives

By David Kane Nov 13, 2024
Betting Central

Pick of the Day: Casper Ruud vs. Alexander Zverev, ATP Finals

By Zachary Cohen Nov 13, 2024
Lifestyle

Andy Murray goes from Centre Court to the stage for a four-stop tour to talk about his tennis career

By Associated Press Nov 12, 2024
Social

"Shocked" Ons Jabeur calls out ITF for canceled tournaments in Monastir, Tunisia

By Stephanie Livaudais Nov 12, 2024

Shapovalov grows up fast, uses Davis Cup incident to mature

The Canadian teen has propelled himself into the Top 200.

Published Apr 14, 2017

Canada's Denis Shapovalov first made his presence known by stunning Nick Kyrgios in Toronto last summer. He then resurfaced in February, but for all the wrong reasons, thanks to accidentally hitting a Davis Cup umpire in the face during Canada's tie against Great Britain.

Shapovalov, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Saturday, has grown a lot since then—even though it's been just over two months.

"It's unfortunate that happened and it's very unprofessional from me..." he told the ATP Tour. "I think the past couple of weeks its helped my tennis because I'm really focusing on changing mentally and changing the way I act on court."

He was soon rewarded by becoming the youngest Canadian to win an ATP Challenger in Drummondville, Quebec, as his ranking rose into the Top 200.

Advertising

The world No. 172 has a shot of making it to the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in November (which is just for players aged 21 and under). But there is still a lot of young talent ahead of him.

"Only eight players make it into that tournament..." Shapovalov said. "I'm going to do everything I can to try to make it."