Denis Shapovalov says his pre-Wimbledon warm up victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic at The Boodles last week was the perfect confidence booster going into SW19, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 20-year-old from Canada finally scored a number over Serbia's current world number one by sealing a surprise straight sets victory at Stoke Park, near Slough and at Wimbledon tomorrow (July 2) he plays his first rounder against Lithuania's Ričardas Berankis.

And world-ranked number 27 and Bahamas-based Shapovalov , who last year went out in round two to France's Benoît Paire, admits beating a massive name like Djokovic before Wimbledon was an incredible feeling as he told Newsquest South London.

"Just to be out court with him is an honour," he said.

"He's a champion of the sport, he's a great ambassador and a great guy. Any chance I get to hit with him or play a match with him is great experience for me even if it's an exhibition so I'm really happy to kinda get another match under my belt especially with a guy of his calibre. It definitely gives me a big confidence boost heading to Wimbledon."

It is interesting to point out that only four former junior boys Wimbledon champions have gone on to claim the prestigious seniors crown. Bjorn Borg, Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg and Roger Federer have done this rare double achievement since the junior event first ran in 1947.

Shapovalov, who won the junior title in 2016, hopes to join this prestigiously elite group come the men's final on July 14. And the cool-cat Canadian still has great memories of his 2016 triumph over Australian Alex de Minaur.

"I remember if it was yesterday," he continued. "It's something I dreamt of doing all my life so to able to win it, even if it was juniors, it was a huge achievement of my career and like I said it's a moment it's going to stick with me for the rest of my life."