Shapovalov says he 'feels awful' after hitting umpire

That is not how 17-year-old Denis Shapovalov imagined his 2017 Davis Cup ending.

The Canadian was competing in the deciding rubber against Great Britain's Kyle Edmund when a moment of anger cost him the match and Canada the quarterfinal spot.

Down 6-3, 6-4, 2-1, Shapovalov's costly mistake earned him an instant disqualification, sending Great Britain to the next round. He apologized to the umpire (Arnaud Gabas), before Gabas was sent to the hospital (he suffered no permanent damage).

"Luckily he was OK, but obviously it's unacceptable behavior from me," Shapovalov said in post-match press. "I just feel awful for letting my team down, for letting my country down, for acting in a way that I would never want to act.

"I can promise that's the last time I will do anything like that. I'm going to learn from this and try to move past it."

The teenager took to Twitter as well to express his remorse.

His teammates supported him after the disappointing and stunning finish.

Even British captain Leon Smith felt for Shapovalov.

"It's shame it happened that way," Smith said. "And I feel for the young lad because he's a great talent and he's learned a harsh lesson today."

Shapovalov, the 2016 junior Wimbledon champion, was seeking his second Davis Cup match win, having played in just one rubber before this weekend. He could potentially be fined up to $12,000 and suspended from future ties.