Mental fitness is as important as physical fitness in any sport. Until and unless the mind is cool, composed, and stable, the body can’t be completely fit. Canadian professional tennis player Denis Shapovalov emphasized this fact as he opened up on working with a psychologist. The 21-year-old accepted that he had been trying to be mentally fit. He also admitted that he was not embarrassed in saying this in front of the whole world.

“I don’t think there is any shame in that [working with a sports psychologist]. It’s a big part of tennis and a big part of life… You know that it’s something you have to work on. It’s your mental,” said the Canadian player.

It hasn’t quite been the year for Shapovalov. But he has certainly made improvements in his technique and gameplay. The results are also proof of that. After getting eliminated from the very first round of the Australian Open 2020, he managed to reach the quarters of the US Open 2020 and the semis of the Italian Open 2020.

‘It’s the same way I am practicing my forehand and backhand’- Denis Shapovalov

Shapovalov realized that mental health was something he needed to work on. After the analysis of his mistakes and faults, his team sensed that it was not only the physical aspect that needs improvement but the mental part as well.

“It’s the same way I am practicing my forehand and backhand. We figured the things that we really wanted to improve during this time. That’s really going help me,” added the 21-year-old.

Shapovalov also highlighted that during training, it was the mental part that kept on haunting him. It just became an obstacle of sorts because other than that, everything was going physically.

“The thing that we kept coming across on is the mental part. So, of course, that’s the first part we wanted to work on. Yeah, that’s the most thing that we worked on,” concluded Shapovalov.

Telling the world that you are not well mentally is not an easy task. It definitely requires a strong and tough display of character. Shapovalov is certainly a great player. He has a bright future if he continues to improve his gameplay. Currently, he is playing at the St. Petersburg Open 2020.