Shapovalov Opens up on Admiration for Federer

Without a doubt, Roger Federer?is?Denis Shapovalov‘s?biggest idol. In a recent interview, the 19-year-old Canadian player revealed an interesting thing about his childhood involving the Swiss player. He said,?’I had a picture on my bedroom wall of Roger lining up for a backhand.

I would wake up seeing him setting up for the backhand and watch videos of him play and try to have the same kind of strokes and play the same kind of game,‘.

Shapovalov also spoke of his own look:?‘I stand out a bit with the long hair, it’s unusual, you don’t see a lot of people with flowing hair.

A lot go short, mine is more of the 1980s or 90s look but when I was growing up I had long hair and then I joined the air cadets and they made me cut it. I was doing it to rebel against discipline. My best friend has long hair and convinced me to grow it again.

I’m glad I stuck with it, it’s kind of like (Bjorn) Borg.’

The Canadian, Shapovalov also confessed that he didn’t achieve success straightaway: ‘I only became national-age no. 1 when I was about 15. When I was younger, my mum made me play an aggressive game and come into the net.

It’s tough when you’re young, I didn’t have the strength to get the high balls. But I knew it would pay off when I got bigger.’

The World number 26 defeated France’s Jeremy Chardy in 4 sets in the opening round of the Wimbledon. Today, he will be up against another Frenchman, Benoit Paire, who downed Jason Jung. Jung was drafted in as a last minute replacement for Andy Murray who opted to rest and recuperate further.

Meanwhile, Federer will go up against Jan Lennard Struff in the 3rd round.