Shapovalov set to shine at Classic

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the next challenge for Shapovalov will be to take on the big three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Nadal and win a grand slam.

He believes doing this is something he’s now ready for.

‘‘I definitely think so,’’ he said. ‘‘With the way I’m playing I’ve been able to push any of the top guys right now and hopefully that continues.

Shapovalov has only won one match in his previous two visits to the Classic, but he has become a crowd favourite, because of the exciting tennis he plays, with his one-handed backhand delighting the purists.

But he has also become popular among all the volunteers as he makes a point of going around as many of them as possible and thanking them for their help once he’s been knocked out.

‘‘I think it’s a really nice event before a slam,’’ Shapovalov said of the Classic.

‘‘It’s really relaxed, really chilled and I love the fans here. I really feel like they love me back.

‘‘It’s always a great vibe and atmosphere whenever I come here and I love the city. It’s a nice little city, but so nice.

‘‘A lot of great coffee places, a lot of great stores around. So it’s a nice week to get away from the hectic nature of a major the week after.’’

The words ‘next big thing’ are thrown around a lot in men’s tennis. There was Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe called that this week, while there is also the more established up and comers like Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini.

Shapovalov sits in that latter group of players and he admits he does compare himself to how other young players are doing.

‘‘In one way I always focus on myself or what I need to do,’’ he said. ‘‘But I think it’s always healthy to try to compare and see what the other guys are doing really well, see what young guys are coming up and how they’re playing. Because these are the guys you’re going to be competing against over the next five to 10 years.

‘‘So for sure, it’s nice to know what they like to do, how they’re playing and how they’re growing as well. I think it’s amazing to see how many great players are coming up and how much the tour is changing with all this new talent.’’