Denis Shapovalov is possibly 15and world in tennis, but he has passions far beyond the court.
Posted at 5:53 p.m.
Right now he wants to help save animals.
The 23-year-old Ontarian launched ShapoShelter last week, an initiative to help shelter pets from around the world.
He has partnered with two shelters in Florida and one in Mexico and uses his ShapoShelter website, as well as Twitter and Instagram, to share the stories of animals ready for adoption.
“With the showcase I have, I think it’s perfect for giving back to the community and giving these animals a chance,” Shapovalov said Monday.
“With people following me, the more we post about these animals, the more all of these people and my followers are going to see their stories. It’ll just give them a better chance of being adopted. »
Shapovalov, who has two dogs (Lucky and Nika) and two cats (Rosa and Zeus), was considering opening his own shelter. He, however, found it too difficult to balance that with the rigors of traveling the globe to play tennis.
So Shapovalov partnered with the Humane Society of Manatee County, the Humane Society of Greater Miami, and Adopta Un Amigo Para Siempre in Mexico City. ShapoShelter posts pet photos, videos and biographical details online, so potential owners can get to know them.
“I always wanted to help,” Shapovalov said. I’ve heard a lot of very tough stories about how these animals are being mistreated and it’s really heartbreaking. »
Shapovalov’s interests off the pitch also include producing rap music, with two singles available on streaming platforms.
“I’m a tennis player, but I have (other) ambitions and goals, and some of them are things like that,” Shapovalov said. I have a huge passion for music, I have a huge passion for animals, and I feel so lucky to have a platform to help out and give back. »
Shapovalov is playing well this season, going 12-7. He first helped Canada win the ATP Cup in January. Then he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Suffering from a sore shoulder, Shapovalov dropped out of the Barcelona Open this week; he remains in Florida to heal and train, with a view to playing clay in Europe. He is aiming for a return to action at the Madrid tournament.