Canada’s tennis future on centre stage
When Felix Auger-aliassime and Denis Shapovalov face off against each other at the U.S. Open this week, they ’ll have to set aside their friendship as they put the future of Canadian tennis on full display.
As rising stars on the ATP Tour, they’ll probably have to get used to doing that.
“It’s unfortunate they have to play each other in the first round, but quite frankly this is going to be the first of many times they ’ll lock horns,” Tennis Canada president and CEO Michael Downey said Saturday.
“They both want to win and they’re professionals and they know the winner gets to play Wednesday in the second round. That’s worth a lot of points, a lot of prize money and a lot of pride.”
The teenagers — 18-year-old Auger-aliassime of Montreal and 19-year-old Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont. — clash Monday night at Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
Shapovalov, ranked No. 28 on the ATP Tour, earned direct entry into his second U.S. Open, while No. 117 Auger-aliassime had to go through three qualifying matches this week to book his spot against his pal.
Auger-aliassime set a record by doing that, becoming the first man born in the 21st century to qualify for the main draw at a major.
“We shouldn’t take that lightly because there’s many players who wanted to qualify who didn’t get through,” Downey said.
“So the fact he did it at such a young age is amazing.”
No. 24 Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., No. 88 Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver and No. 119 Peter Polansky, also of Thornhill, round out the Canadian contingent on the men’s main draw, while Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., qualified on the women’s side.
Shapovalov said he had been hanging out with Auger-aliassime around the courts and was delighted to see his friend playing so well.
“It’s great to see Felix coming up,” Shapovalov said earlier this week. “And with Milos back (from injury) and Vasek doing well, it’s a great time for Canadian tennis.”