Shapovalov on launching shelter, coaching chemistry and meeting Matthews

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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Denis Shapovalov has always loved animals.

"It's just in me, I guess," the 23-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont. said. "I grew up with animals all my life and had dogs, cats, you name it, parrots. So, I've just grown up with the passion of respecting and loving animals."

Shapovalov, a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year and currently No. 16 in the ATP rankings, is now using his platform as a professional tennis player to help animals in need. He launched Shapo Shelter this month, which will help shelters find forever homes for dogs and cats by highlighting their stories. 

"Growing up and hearing how many cruel stories there are about all these animals, especially in certain parts of the world, I feel like some people don't know enough," Shapovalov said. "It's important, first of all, to try and get their stories out there. I think every animal deserves a home. They can't speak up for themselves. They can't say how brutal it's been for them and ask for help, so we're trying to do our best to do that for them."

Currently training in Florida, Shapovalov spoke to TSN this week about the launch of Shapo Shelter, his new coaches this season and what it was like to recently meet Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews. The following is an edited transcript of the conversation. 

TSN: How did Shapo Shelter come together?

Shapovalov: "I've been supporting different shelters throughout the years, and I was thinking of a way to give back and how I can do it without actually owning my own shelter. I came across a couple friends [Cornelius Haarmann and Nadia Abdala] that have already been helping one shelter in Mexico and helping other shelters adopt dogs and we thought about this idea to