ATP: Denis Shapovalov outstrips Milos Raonic in Canada

Denis Shapovalov has already been chosen as the newcomer on the ATP tour, and the 18-year-old has now also won the prize for the best Canadian tennis player in 2017.

The Canadian tennis year’s perceived truth was confirmed by the election of Denis Shapovalov as player in 2017, but reality is reflected in the world rankings. And there, Milos Raonic is still 27 places ahead of his younger fellow countryman. Amazingly enough – after his second-round defeat of Adrian Mannarino at the home tournament in Montréal, Raonic only showed himself once at the courts of the ATP Tour: In Tokyo, where the 2016 Wimbledon finalist had to give up in his second match against Yuichi Sugita after only one match.

Shapovalov, on the other hand, celebrated his coming-out party in Montréal, reaching the semi-final round on home soil after beating Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal in particular. There was an end to the later champion Alexander Zverev. At the US Open, the 18-year-old made it through as a qualifier in round four, and there was no chance against Pablo Carreno Busta. So it’s no wonder that Shapovalov was named Newcomer of the Year by ATP in London a few days ago.

From an objective point of view, however, Milos Raonic has played the better year: Quarter-finals at the first major in Melbourne, in Wimbledon it went down to the last eight. Raonic also reached two more finals: In Delray Beach he could not compete against Jack Sock and in Istanbul Juan Martin del Potro went off the pitch as tournament winner.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by Tennis Canada’s male player of the year, and to have been given the opportunity to represent my country on the ATP Tour and as a member of the Davis Cup team,”said Shapovalov.

The next aspirant, a good friend of Denis Shapovalov’s, is already on the starting blocks in Canada: Félix Auger-Aliassime, only 17 years old, has already advanced to 162nd place in the world ranking.