Canadian acts like he’s been there before

PARIS Denis Shapovalov plopped himself down for his news conference Tuesday after winning his French Open debut, leaned into the microphone and said, “’Sup?”’

Then he smiled broadly as can be. This was a milestone day in the nascent career of the rapidly rising Canadian teen, who seems as carefree on the court as he is off it, compiling significant victories and praise from opponents in equal doses.

Shapovalov’s first Grand Slam match as a seeded player — he is No. 24 at Roland Garros — became a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 59th-ranked John Millman of Australia, thanks in large part to a 329 edge in total winners.

A year ago, not only wasn’t Shapovalov seeded, he didn’t even make the main draw, losing in the opening round of qualifying.

“It’s tough to climb the way I did. It’s been pretty crazy. Even I didn’t expect it,” Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., said. “I mean, I’m just trying to stay focused. Like I always say, doesn’t matter the week, doesn’t matter the result, I’m always trying to get back on the court and get better. I’m only 19. I have a lot to improve, a lot to learn.”

Asked how he thinks he can get better, Shapovalov began by saying there are so many areas he wants to work on that it could take hours to list them all.

Still, he gave it a try, rattling off various categories: returns, net play, firstserve percentage, using shifts in momentum to his advantage, being mentally stronger.

“To me, it’s kind of positive that today I am where I am, (ranked No. 25 in the world), and I feel like I have so much room to improve. For me, it’s motivating,” he said. “I keep wanting to go forward, keep getting better.”

Shapovalov, who faces 70th-ranked Maximilian Marterer of Germany next, rarely seems rattled during matches.

Seems pretty at ease away from competition, too.

Until, that is, a reporter asked Tuesday how Shapovalov’s French is.

“I can speak a little,” came his reply — in French.