WATCH: Shapovalov looks back on his breakout season

Sportsnet's Arash Madani spent an hour with Denis Shapovalov when the teenager was competing in the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. Shapovalov took that time to reflect on what has been a breakout year for him, capped off with the ATP Most Improved Player award.

After starting out at No. 250, and learning a hard lesson in Davis Cup in February, the 18-year-old Canadian began to rise, fast.

He names his win over Rafael Nadal in front of a home crowd in Montreal as the biggest moment of his career (at least thus far). Shapovalov would end up reaching the semifinals.

"I felt like the whole country was watching that match [against Nadal] and I was able to win it for them," Shapovalov told Madani. "It was by far the greatest moment in my life, my career, so far."

"My life has changed," Shapopvalov said. "It's definitely different but I still try to hang out with my friends, do some low key stuff."

But he's ready for both the ups and downs, as he watched his friends head into college, Shapovalov is committed to his dream and is already rubbing shoulders with the best (he was even part of Team World for Laver Cup).

"Thinking that I could be in university right now—it's crazy to think about it," Shapovalov said. "From when I started playing tennis this was my goal, this was my dream."

The fall season hasn't been so kind, with Shapovalov winning just two matches in five events played.

"To be honest with you it hasn't been easy. It's a lot to deal with," he said.

Now ranked No. 51, the youngster will do his best to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump in 2018.

"I think I have a good support team around me right now that's really going to ensure that I can compete at this level," Shapovalov said. "And even go further."