#NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov talks about why he decided to play the 2018 Delray Beach Open and how he is attempting to continue improving his game.
The demands of a pro tennis player can be omnipresent. The autographs. The media interviews. The travel. And they can arise at any moment, such as when you're standing outside the Silverball Pinball Museum in Delray Beach after playing arcade games, including NBA Hangtime, with Hyeon Chung of South Korea, ahead of the Delray Beach Open. “Denis Shapovalov,” a woman says, walking towards you, “can I get a picture of you with my husband?” Shapovalov kindly obliges, smiling with the gentleman as the woman snaps the photo. The 18-year-old with wavy blonde hair looks as if nothing phases him. But last year, the travel, the media, the autographs, it all was a little overwhelming for the teenager. During the Asian...
The Delray Beach Open has been very good to Jack Sock. The defending champion picked up another victory in South Florida on Monday, his first of the season, beating Aussie qualifier John-Patrick Smith 6-4, 6-4. Sock, who went 0-2 at the ASB Classic and the Australian Open to start the season, saved all four break points and broke Smith twice during the windy 81-minute first-round contest. “He's very unorthodox, lefty, serve and volleys a lot. Very unorthodox shots: flat, some spin, some flat, slice. Rushes the net a lot, tricky conditions, tricky player, so I'm happy to get through, definitely,” Sock said. [ALSO LIKE] After the match, the World No. 8 was presented with a plaque that coronated him “King...