‘Sup?: Carefree Canadian teenager Shapovalov wins French Open debut
PARIS — Denis Shapovalov plopped himself down for his news conference Tuesday after winning his French Open debut, leaned into the microphone and said, “‘Sup?’”
Then he smiled broadly as can be. This was a milestone day in the nascent career of the rapidly rising Canadian teen, who seems as carefree on the court as he is off it, compiling significant victories and praise from opponents in equal doses.
Shapovalov’s first Grand Slam match as a seeded player — he is No. 24 at Roland Garros — became a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 59th-ranked John Millman of Australia, thanks in large part to a 32-9 edge in total winners.
A year ago, not only wasn’t Shapovalov seeded, he didn’t even make the main draw, losing in the opening round of qualifying.