Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov is Jewish, says his mother

Top Jewish tennis players are hard to come by, but Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov is one of the tribe — at least according to his mother.

The 22-year-old 10th Canadian seed, who saw off Andy Murray in the third round and won his quarter-final match against Karen Khachanov on Wednesday, was born in Tel Aviv.

Sporting a cross around his neck during matches, the blond-haired Mr Shapovalov has said he shares his father’s Christian faith.

But his mother Tessa Shapovalov, who herself played for Russia’s national tennis team and while living in Israel coached youngsters in the sport, holds a different view. “I consider him Jewish,” she has said.