BACK TO WORK FOR SHAPOVALOV
Teen gears up for U.S. Open qualifying
Denis Shapovalov reached a career-high ranking of No. 67 in the world after reaching the semifinals of the Rogers Cup last week, but the 18-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., isn’t letting the success go to his head.
“Personally, I don’t feel like I’m that ranking,” Shapovalov said Thursday after a 75-minute workout with coach Martin Laurendeau at the National Training Centre. “It was one incredible week, but I feel like I’m still the same guy I was when I was 140. I still have a lot of work to do to secure my spot in that position. I’m trying to keep moving forward to compete with the top-100, top-50 level players.
Shapovalov’s magical week included wins over 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal, whose 15 Grand Slam titles include a record 10 French Open wins. Before Alexander Zverev ended Shapovalov’s run, he had done enough to jump 76 places in the ATP Tour rankings.
The run came too late for him to earn a direct entry into the U.S, Open this month, but he will be among the top seeds in U.S. Open qualifying next week. Going forward, Shapovalov’s ranking will allow him to enter more events on the ATP Tour, but he said he would still play some events at the second-tier Challenger level.
“I’ll mix it up a bit,” Shapovalov said. “I still think I need to improve to be at the level of Zverev, Adrian Mannarino, all those players. I had one good week and now it’s back to work.”
After beating Shapovalov, the 20-year-old Zverev suggested the Canadian was three years away from becoming a top player.
“Everyone has their own path,” said Shapovalov. “Sascha (Zverev) was fortunate, He climbed very quickly, some players take a little longer. Sometimes you come in and then you drop. Last week was really a confidence boost because I feel I can compete with these guys. I pulled off some tough matches, but I know it’s not going to be like this every week.”
Shapovalov said the week took a physical toll, which was why he skipped a Challenger event this week in Vancouver.
“It was tough,” he said. “I might have played one or two matches at this level, but to play five consecutive matches against top players who were pushing me to the limit is very difficult physically. I was able to manage during the tournament, but I had to pull out of Vancouver so I was ready for the U.S. Open. Anyone who plays Rafa is going to be broken the next day. He takes so much out of your body. I felt that the following morning.”
Shapovalov was playing up at the Rogers Cup, facing players ranked far above him. That won’t be the case in qualifying in New York, where he will be one of the top seeds and face players ranked below him.
“It’s a different ball game,” he said. “It’s always easier to play up, but I feel I have a chance against anyone I play. I believe in myself. But there are so many good players out there and anyone on a given day can play really well. I’ve proven that.”
Shapovalov won’t be the only Canadian in men’s qualifying. Peter Polansky, who reached a careerhigh 115th earlier this summer, will be there and so will 17-year-old Montrealer Félix Auger-Aliassime, who missed the Rogers Cup because of a wrist injury.