Denis Shapovalov: Star Rising

As Denis Shapovalov charged through the draw of the Montreal Masters in August, an old childhood photo started circulating. The pint-sized Canadian, then nine years old, was posing on court with Rafael Nadal and other players.

“We didn’t get a chance to play, I was a little bummed out because I thought Rafa was going to watch me play before his match,” he related with a smile.

Nine years on, a reunion with Nadal at the Rogers Cup would prove even more unforgettable as Shapovalov held his nerve to claim a 3-6 6-4 7-6(4) upset of the soon-to-be world No.1.

“I’m just so happy to come out with the win,” said the 18-year-old. “It was extremely hard physically and mentally. Rafa is such a warrior. Such a tough match.”

Fighting spirit might also become Shapovalov’s trademark. He’d already showcased a heart as big as his game when he saved four match points against Rogerio Dutra Silva in the first round. He followed it with an upset of Juan Martin del Potro and at the end a milestone week he’d also defeated Adrian Mannarino to become the youngest-ever ATP Masters semifinalist.

“It gave me that extra confidence and belief in myself that I can play against these top guys and that I belong here,” he told ATP Media.

Top 50 ???? pic.twitter.com/PjVBFlxnpa

— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) October 9, 2017

Shapovalov could well be one of those “top guys” in the near future. Typically the No.70 ranking he achieved immediately after Montreal would earn direct entry into the US Open but with the entry cut-off several weeks earlier, Shapovalov needed to qualify.

That goal achieved, he progressed to the fourth round in only his second Grand Slam main draw, an upset of No.8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round marking yet another career-defining victory.

An aggressive left-hander who is already known for his flashy shot making, Shapovalov is more importantly proving adept at managing pressure matches.

“I think it’s been a long process,” he noted after the 6-4 6-4 7-6(3) victory over Tsonga. “I don’t think I was always mentally solid as I am today.”

It helped that a young Shapovalov had dreamed of such big matches. “There were a couple times during the match I was just smiling, having a good time,” he related. “ It’s a dream come true for me to play a night match on Arthur Ashe … I grew up wanting to do this.”

Asked to recall other US Open memories, Shapovalov provided a reminder that those childhood years are so recent. “The one match I do remember was sitting with my best friend watching I think it was (Novak) Djokovic and (Andy) Murray in the finals,” he said.

In fact, that US Open final was just five years ago, when 13-year-old Shapovalov was a developing junior living with his family in Ontario. His start in tennis was eight years earlier, when Denis took up the game thanks to his mother Tessa, a tennis coach who remains an important advisor alongside former Canadian pro Martin Laurendeau. In 2016, he won the 2016 Wimbledon boys’ title.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel to Russian parents, Shapovalov moved to Canada before his first birthday and he’s fiercely loyal to his family’s adopted nation.

“My goal is to raise the level of Canadian tennis and just have more kids picking up a racquet instead of a hockey stick,” said Shapovalov.

With his goal to achieve a top-150 ranking in 2017 smashed mid-year, Denis couldn’t pinpoint immediate objectives – but was understandably excited for the future. “It’s another life-changing event for me,” he noted at the US Open.

Transformative, in fact, both on the court and off it. “Just a couple of days ago in Central Park, I was just walking with my team and I ran into this kid (who) comes up to me, and he tries to talk to me but he can’t really start a conversation, he’s shaking so much. He’s, just, like, ‘Oh, my God, wow, I can’t believe this’,” said Shapovalov. “It’s honestly inspiring.”

The teenager would know the feeling. It was just a few short years ago, after all, that he coveted the chance to meet the tennis idols he’s now beating.

This article appears in the October-November issue of Australian Tennis Magazine.