Alot’s Happening: Tennis Star Denis Shapovalov Sparks Controversy by Entering Heated Social Media Feud due to…
Denis Shapovalov has complained that he rarely sees the money he earns from playing tennis. The Canadian, who is ranked 101st in the world and has earned £678,359 this year, has pointed out that much of his earnings are spent on taxes and expenses.
In an argument about tennis players complaining about the gruelling ATP schedule while simultaneously accepting big-money exhibition offers, Shapovalov said the expenses for playing tennis is unlike any other sport.
“Yes but take out taxes, percentages, salaries and expenses we pay. Tennis isn’t like other sports where you keep the money you make. There are a lot of costs as a tennis player. Not saying we don’t make money, just that we make much more money playing [exhibitions],” Shapovalov wrote.
It comes following a debate prompted by the Australian former player John Millman, who pointed out that players making complaints about the widening tennis calendar often play in lucrative exhibition events.
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Shapovalov responded to him by saying: “In my opinion if players would make decent money during the season they wouldn’t feel the need to play [exhibitions] in off weeks. Instead, players (aside from maybe top 20) only make decent money 4 times a year (slams). So it’s a no-brainer for players to go play [exhibitions] for good cash.”
US Open finalist Taylor Fritz also waded into the argument, claiming exhibition matches do not use the same physical and mental energy as ATP tour-level tournaments do.
“I agree that it’s tough for the tour to shorten the schedule when players will just play [exhibitions] to fill the time, and I’ve seen a lot of people criticising some of the players asking for a shorter season because they go and play [exhibitions],” Fritz told Millman.
“I don’t understand that part of the argument, because playing an exo vs a tour event aren’t comparable to each other in terms of burn out — physically and especially mentally.”
Taylor Fritz has defended tennis stars playing exhibition matches for more money (Image: Getty)
Shapovalov’s complaints about pay come after tennis player Karue Sell claimed he would make more working in McDonald’s than he does by playing tennis. The Brazilian climbed into the ATP’s top 300 last week but has made just £15,000 in 2024.
Sell – who also makes money on YouTube – wrote on X: “Today I broke 300 for the first time. Yet I’d make more money working at McDonald’s.
“I’m ok because of my online work but I feel for my peers. The level is so high now all the way to 400 (at least), go watch a challenger. Tennis outgrew the conventional top 100.
“Not saying players need to make millions but they are being robbed across the board. Top 50 should make more, 100, 150, 200. There’s money. Would love to see some real change here @ptpaplayers. Without a union players have no say. Just shut up and play.”
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Denis Shapovalov impresses in his Orleans Challenger debut
Former world no. 10 Denis Shapovalov has yet to find the desired form in 2024, missing the top-100 return after a mediocre 18-20 score on the main level. The Canadian suffered early losses in Montreal and New York before earning three wins for his country in the Davis Cup.
Instead of traveling to Beijing or Tokyo for the qualifying draw, Denis remained in Europe and entered the Co’met Orleans Open Challenger, returning to this level only for the second time after 2017! World no. 101 made an impressive debut on an indoor hard court, toppling Benjamin Hassan 6-3, 6-1 in 51 minutes, notching his first Challenger triumph in over seven years!
The Canadian served at 50%, but no one could notice that. He dropped six points in his games, facing no break points and mounting the pressure on the other side. Hassan could not follow that pace, giving away almost half of the points in his games and getting broken four times from five chances presented to his rival.
Denis Shapovalov is off to a winning start at the Orleans Challenger.
A left-hander found the rhythm right from the start, closing the opening game of the duel at love after a backhand crosscourt winner.
The former top-10 player created two break chances in the second game and seized the first with a smash winner for an early advantage. Shapovalov cemented the break with a hold at 30 in game three before Hassan reduced the deficit with a service winner in the next one.
Denis held at love in the fifth game and mirrored that two games later, landing a service winner and forging a 5-2 lead. Benjamin served to stay in the set in the eighth game and brought it home at love, extending the battle and hoping for one last chance on the return.
Instead, the Canadian fired three powerful serves in the ninth game, wrapping up the opener 6-3 in 24 minutes. World no. 101 made a push on the return in the first game of the second set and converted a break chance after the rival’s huge forehand error, moving a set and a break in front.
Shapovalov cemented the break with a service winner in game two and held at 15 two games later for a 3-1 lead, marching toward the top. Hassan sprayed a backhand error in the fifth game, losing serve at 15 and moving closer to the exit door.
Denis grabbed the sixth game with another powerful serve, opening a 5-1 advantage and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. The Canadian climbed back from 0-30 and generated a match point with a forehand return winner. Shapovalov converted it, sprinting into the second round and celebrating his first Challenger win since 2017.
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