Grass has always been Denis Shapovalov’s favourite surface, though it hasn’t always loved him back. But after reaching the third round at Wimbledon for the first time and earning a first-time ATP Head2Head meeting with Andy Murray, his ‘love-hate relationship’ with the natural surface might just be turning around.
“Definitely I think it's a great moment for me. Obviously it's going to be my first time on Centre Court at Wimbledon, so it's super exciting for me, my team and my career,” Shapovalov said. “Definitely a match I grew up wanting: to play against Andy in the spotlight like this. So it's definitely a match I'm looking forward to.”
The 22-year-old Canadian has racked up consistent results during this year’s grass-court swing, reaching his second quarter-final on the surface at the MercedesCup in Stuttgart (l. to Cilic). He did one better at The Queen’s Club in London, reaching the cinch Championships semi-final with victories over former champion Feliciano Lopez and Nottingham Challenger winner Frances Tiafoe along the way.
Shapovalov always felt he had a game that was suited for the surface, but the brevity of the grass-court swing – as well as pesky pollen allergies – often left him struggling to find his rhythm in seasons past.
“I definitely felt like grass is a surface that could be really, really good for my game. It's just been about growing on it and taking the years to really improve on it, because obviously it's such a short season,” Shapovalov said. “It's not like you can practice any time in the year on it, just these couple weeks.
“With every year I've felt myself get better on this surface, and I do still think there is a lot of room to grow. But for sure, this is hands down probably the best season, results-speaking, that I've had on grass.”
At Wimbledon, 10th seed Shapovalov recorded his best result after moving into the third round after receiving a walkover from Pablo Andujar (rib injury). But that’s not to say the Canadian hasn’t been tested during the early rounds at SW19: in his opening match he took out former Top 20 player Philipp Kohlschreiber in a marathon five-setter, scoring 58 winners en route to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win.
He will hope to carry the momentum in his Centre Court debut as he faces two-time former champion Murray for the first time. Shapovalov said that he tuned into Murray’s dramatic comeback win against Oscar Otte. For as much as he was scouting his next opponent, the Canadian couldn’t help but watch with the eyes of a fan as Murray rallied for a 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory on Wednesday night.
“ definitely watched his match yesterday. And honestly just as a tennis fan, it was fun to watch," he admitted. "[As] a fan of Andy's, to see him back and moving so well, especially those last two sets, how he turned it around... It felt like he was the player that he was a couple of years back. It was really exciting to see.”
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While it’s no secret that the 22-year-old admires the former World No. 1 – he listed Murray’s backhand as one of the key components when asked to build his ‘perfect grass-court player’ – Shapovalov will be determined to put that aside and focus on the task at hand. He is looking to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the third time (also US Open in 2017 and 2020).
“I've been playing these top guys a couple times now, so for me it's not a problem to turn the switch off anymore,” he said. “Obviously, the first couple times you go up against them, it's definitely a different match. Now, it's pretty much the same thing for me. It's just I'm going up against another opponent. I know he's a great player, and he's very difficult, but I'm focusing on my game and what I can do.
“But I think it's normal to have appreciation for what these guys have done in the sport and always show respect. I don't think there is anything ever wrong with that. So I try to do that whenever I get the chance.”
“Definitely I think it's a great moment for me. Obviously it's going to be my first time on Centre Court at Wimbledon, so it's super exciting for me, my team and my career,” Shapovalov said. “Definitely a match I grew up wanting: to play against Andy in the spotlight like this. So it's definitely a match I'm looking forward to.”
The 22-year-old Canadian has racked up consistent results during this year’s grass-court swing, reaching his second quarter-final on the surface at the MercedesCup in Stuttgart (l. to Cilic). He did one better at The Queen’s Club in London, reaching the cinch Championships semi-final with victories over former champion Feliciano Lopez and Nottingham Challenger winner Frances Tiafoe along the way.
Shapovalov always felt he had a game that was suited for the surface, but the brevity of the grass-court swing – as well as pesky pollen allergies – often left him struggling to find his rhythm in seasons past.
“I definitely felt like grass is a surface that could be really, really good for my game. It's just been about growing on it and taking the years to really improve on it, because obviously it's such a short season,” Shapovalov said. “It's not like you can practice any time in the year on it, just these couple weeks.
“With every year I've felt myself get better on this surface, and I do still think there is a lot of room to grow. But for sure, this is hands down probably the best season, results-speaking, that I've had on grass.”
At Wimbledon, 10th seed Shapovalov recorded his best result after moving into the third round after receiving a walkover from Pablo Andujar (rib injury). But that’s not to say the Canadian hasn’t been tested during the early rounds at SW19: in his opening match he took out former Top 20 player Philipp Kohlschreiber in a marathon five-setter, scoring 58 winners en route to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win.
He will hope to carry the momentum in his Centre Court debut as he faces two-time former champion Murray for the first time. Shapovalov said that he tuned into Murray’s dramatic comeback win against Oscar Otte. For as much as he was scouting his next opponent, the Canadian couldn’t help but watch with the eyes of a fan as Murray rallied for a 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory on Wednesday night.
“ definitely watched his match yesterday. And honestly just as a tennis fan, it was fun to watch," he admitted. "[As] a fan of Andy's, to see him back and moving so well, especially those last two sets, how he turned it around... It felt like he was the player that he was a couple of years back. It was really exciting to see.”
View Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
While it’s no secret that the 22-year-old admires the former World No. 1 – he listed Murray’s backhand as one of the key components when asked to build his ‘perfect grass-court player’ – Shapovalov will be determined to put that aside and focus on the task at hand. He is looking to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the third time (also US Open in 2017 and 2020).
“I've been playing these top guys a couple times now, so for me it's not a problem to turn the switch off anymore,” he said. “Obviously, the first couple times you go up against them, it's definitely a different match. Now, it's pretty much the same thing for me. It's just I'm going up against another opponent. I know he's a great player, and he's very difficult, but I'm focusing on my game and what I can do.
“But I think it's normal to have appreciation for what these guys have done in the sport and always show respect. I don't think there is anything ever wrong with that. So I try to do that whenever I get the chance.”