Denis Shapovalov is the youngest player in the top 100 and has already been compared to Australian legend Rod Laver, but the Canadian prodigy isn’t feeling the pressure.

After emerging on the scene in 2017, the 19-year-old entrenched his status as one of the best young players on the ATP Tour last year.

He reached a career-high ranking of No. 23 in June and spent most of the season inside the top-30, before finishing the year world No. 27.

Ahead of his seventh Grand Slam appearance and second visit to the main draw at Melbourne Park, Shapovalov said he is humbled to be compared to tennis royalty like Laver.

“Honestly, it is unbelievable to be compared to Rod – a fellow lefty who has done so much in the game of tennis,” Shapovalov said.

“He is a great ambassador for the sport and he is such a super nice guy. It is honestly unbelievable to be compared to him.

“If I can do even half what he did in his career – he was such an unbelievable player. It is really inspiring to hear that.”

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