Wimbledon, Davis Cup, rapper: Everything you always wanted to know about Denis Shapovalov (but never had time to find out)
Denis Shapovalov is one of the most attacking players on the men’s Tour. Here are the answers to questions you may have about the Canadian left-hander
Denis Shapovalov, US Open 2020
What is Denis Shapovalov’s best Grand Slam result?
The left-handed Shapovalov achieved his best Grand Slam effort to date when he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2021, losing to the eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, He also became the first Canadian man to ever reach the singles quarter-finals at the US Open in 2020.
Does Felix Auger-Aliassime play Davis Cup for Canada?
Yes. Shapovalov has played in the Davis Cup competition for Canada multiple times in his career, with much success. He helped his country reach the final for the first time in 2019, losing to Spain. Canada won the title for the first time in 2022, with Finals wins over Germany, Italy, and Australia. Shapovalov won a singles match in the final and also won a decisive doubles rubber with Vasek Pospisil in the quarter-finals against Germany. The Canadians swept the Aussies 2-0 in the final.
Who are the members of Denis Shapovalov’s family?
His father is Viktor and his mother is Tessa. He has a brother named Evgeniy.
Who are Shapovalov’s coaches?
Shapovalov began 2022 working with Jamie Delgado, who was formerly Andy Murray’s coach. The partnership ended after the Italian Open in Rome. Since then, he has been working with Peter Polansky, a former Canadian player.
Previously, he was coached by his mother Tessa, who runs a tennis academy in Canada, and former world No 8 Mikhail Youzhny, who was one of the young Shapovalov’s favourite players.
“Misha was definitely one of the players I looked up to when I was really young. He was one of the first players I actually had a picture with…It’s pretty crazy to be working with him, first of all, but just to get to know him as a person and as a coach, and I feel like he’s helped my game so much. He’s definitely made me a smarter player out there. I feel like he was very smart when he played. He was just, his positioning, the way he read the game, it’s just another level for me.”
How tall is Denis Shapovalov?
Denis Shapovalov is 6ft 1in (1.85m) tall according to his official profile on the ATP Tour website.
How did Shapovalov start playing tennis?
He moved to Toronto with his family when he was a baby. He began playing tennis with his mother when he was five. His tennis idol growing up was Roger Federer. He won the US Open junior doubles in 2015 with compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime, and won the Wimbledon junior singles the year after. He turned professional in 2017, a year in which he was named ATP Newcomer of the Year and ATP Most Improved Player of the Year.
What are his career highlights so far?
His career-highest ranking so far is world No 10, which he first achieved in September 2020. In 2019, he was the Paris Masters runner-up, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final. He has won just one ATP Tour title, in Stockholm in 2019, but also reached the final in Geneva in 2021. In November of 2022, Shapovalov helped Canada win the Davis Cup for the first time in its history.
What other sports does he like?
He says that if he was not a tennis player he would like to be an ice hockey pro. He is a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He thinks Wayne Gretzky is the greatest sportsperson of all time.
Does he have any other talents?
He’s keen on rapping and has recently released recordings of his efforts.
Who would Denis Shapovalov most like to meet?
Shapovalov has said that apart from Wayne Gretzky, he would most like to meet rapper and musician Eminem.
Does he have a social media account?
Shapovalov has a Twitter account with 141,00 followers. He also has an Instagram account where he has 575,000 followers, and a Facebook account where he has more than 95,000 followers.
