If we were to make a list of prominent names from this 2020 season, perhaps that of Denis Shapovalov It wouldn’t be the first to come to mind. His magnificent final stretch of the year 2019 had already made us create certain expectations with his tennis, and the fact that the COVID-19 has completely cracked the tennis year has taken away opportunities to see the Canadian shine. The irruption of other names like Andrey Rublev O Diego Schwartzman, who have secured their ticket to the ATP Finals, can also take the focus away from El Shapo. But this 2020 has been very good for him.
Especially for the simple fact that he has continued with a dynamic of constant improvement in his tennis. The Canadian has kept regular, something that many asked of him, and has managed to break into the top-10, one of his great objectives. The presence of Mikhail Youzhny In the box he has helped him a lot on the court, being able to organize his ideas and tennis while maintaining his characteristic aggressiveness. The collaboration, which will continue throughout 2021, has its eyes set on a new goal: not only to arrive again, but keep throughout the coming year within the top-10.
“I think this year I have played tennis very well. I am very happy with how this season has developed, I think I have played very well throughout the months and I am happy with the moment that my game lives. Definitely I think I have improved and I feel that my level is with that of the best players. If I am not able to get back into the top 10 this season, I will try again next year 100%. But the really important thing is that I think my level is up there, with the top players, and that I am capable of competing against anyone “, confessed to the ATP.
And it is that if something has been lacking in this 2020 for it to be perfect, it is the Titles. Despite breaking some borders (the aforementioned top-10 and his first Grand Slam quarter-finals, the Us Open), the Canadian could finish this season without any trophies in his pocket. To change that, Denis is already in SofiaWhere a crown could change everything Not only would he debut his record in the last regular tournament of the year; the title would send him back to the top-10. In other words, he would finish a top-10 one calendar year for the first time in his career.
The sensations can be improved, since his extensive participation in tournaments such as the Us Open O Roma They have taken a toll on his physique. Denis rested during the Paris Bercy week, and faces the Bulgarian tournament with full energy and motivation. Will the three losses in a row that you drag be much of an impediment? “I feel good. I had a major break, so I am cool. I’ve been training quite well, so I’m really looking forward to playing the tournament. The table is quite tough, every tournament this year has been full of great players, but I’m really looking forward to it. “
Finally, Shapo also had words for his good friend Felix Auger-Aliassime, who won his first title last week … yes, in the doubles category. He will now be the number two seed in Sofia, signing a completely Canadian ‘front row line’. “The title is great for Canada and tennis in our country. It is amazing to see that we are both in the leading places in a box, and I can only hope that this continues and that we can continue to inspire many Canadian boys and girls.”
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