French official Arnaud Gabas was left with a shiner after being hit in the face by a tennis ballAP:Associated Press
And now the youngster has been fined £5,600 for his actions, despite profusely apologising for the incident, in which French umpire Arnaud Gabas was taken to hospital.
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Earlier, Shapovalov said: “Obviously this is unacceptable behaviour from me.
“I just feel awful for letting my team down, for letting my country down, for acting a way that I would never want to act.
Denis Shapovalov lashes out and hits the ball towards the crowdBBCBut the ball flies towards French umpire insteadBBCDenis Shapovalov instantly regrets hitting the ball after it hits the umpire in the eyeBBC
“I can promise that’s the last time I will do anything like that.”
Team captain Martin Laurendeau also claimed it was a freak accident with absolutely no malicious intent.
He said: “He’s not that kind of guy. It’s just the beginning of his career so he’ll draw a big lesson out of this.
Arnaud Gabas dabs his eye with an ice pack after being smacked in the face by a ballReutersThe French official was later taken to hospital for a checkupGetty ImagesAn ITF spokesperson said Arnaud Gabas had 'swelling and bruising to his left eye'Getty Images
“Curbing your emotions on the court is probably something that he’ll need to make a living out of this sport.
"You can’t compete if you don’t have emotional control and this lesson can serve him for the rest of his career and the rest of his life.”
Team-mate Vasek Pospisil who had earlier in the day defeated Dan Evans also had nothing but good things to say about his young compatriot.
Arnaud Gabas is helped down after being hit in the face with a ball smashed by Denis ShapovalovBBCDenis Shapovalov accidentally smacked the ball at the umpire in frustrationAP:Associated PressThe Canadian teen was left wide-eyed by the damage he had caused to the umpireGetty ImagesDenis Shapovalov held back the tears as he made a public apology for his actionsAP:Associated Press
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He claimed: “No one is nicer or carries themselves better for a 17-year-old than Shapovalov.
"Everyone can see that today was an accident. Can happen to anyone.”
Britain will next take on France in the quarter-final of the Davis Cup, looking to repeat the spectacular 2016 triumph, but will face a stern test against arguably the strongest squad left in the competition.
Shapovalov looks stunned after realising what he is done and the consequencesBBCEdmund roars his approval during an impressive display - before his rival was defaultedAP:Associated PressShapovalov shakes hands with GB coach Leon Smith after the sad but incredible finale to a close tieGetty Images
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