Denis determined to give Canada a reason to cheer
NEW YORK — Eighteenyear-old Denis Shapovalov wants hockey-loving Canada to embrace tennis and hopes that after his star-making run at the US Open, youngsters there will think twice before getting on the ice.
“My goal is to raise the level of Canadian tennis and have more kids pick up a racket instead of a hockey stick,” Shapovalov, who was born to Russian parents in Tel Aviv, Israel, said after his fourth round loss to Pablo Carreno Busta on Sunday.
“I think I have definitely helped to do that, and hopefully I can keep doing it.”
Shapovalov was attempting to become the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open since Andre Agassi in 1988.
However, the qualifier’s dream was ended by wily Spanish 12th seed Busta, eight years his senior, in three tiebreak sets, 7-6, (2), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3).
As he left the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium, Shapovalov turned, put down his bags and saluted the crowd who stood to applaud his freeflowing style.
“My favorite memory was today, the sound, the roar of the crowd when I went to applaud them,” he said.
It has been a whirlwind last few weeks for Shapovalov, who made the semifinal at the Rogers Cup in Montreal in August, defeating world No 1 Rafa Nadal and former US Open champ Juan Martin del Potro along the way.
With a powerful left-handed forehand, a one-handed backhand and flowing blonde locks, the fresh faced Shapovalov is also dealing with fame for the first time.
“Just a couple of days ago in Central Park, I was just walking with my team and I ran into this kid who was shaking, you know, seeing me,” he said with amazement.
“I think I’m making an impact and hopefully I can continue to do so because for me, the best thing in life is to see kids like this looking up to you and just aspiring to be like you.”
Shapovalov, who counts Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky among his fans, is already exceeding the lofty expectations he set for himself on the court.
At the start of the year his goal was to be in the top 150 of the ATP rankings, he said.
After his run at the US Open, he will likely find himself in the top 50 when the rankings are released next week.
In the meantime, he is trying to stay grounded even as his celebrity grows.
“I think I really need to get back to work and my team is making sure that, first of all, I’m staying healthy, and second
My goal is to raise the level of Canadian tennis and have more kids pick up a racket instead of a hockey stick.”
Denis Shapovalov
of all, I’m always trying to get better,” said Shapovalov, who lives in Nassau, Bahamas.
“Hopefully in the future I can make some more runs. Hopefully, eventually, in the long term, I’ll be lifting up a cup.”