Denis Shapovalov has slipped to world number 52, a sharp dip from the peak he reached in 2021 when he was a Wimbledon semi‑finalist.
The Canadian burst onto the scene in 2017, leaping from the 250‑spot to 49th after a semi‑final run at the Canadian Open that saw him edge past the likes of Novak Djokovic—though the Bosnian would later win the match. A year later he claimed his first ATP title in Sofia, defeating Filip Krajinovic 6‑4, 6‑3, and reached the Paris Masters final in 2019, only to fall to Djokovic again.
His 2020 US Open quarter‑final pushed his ranking to a career‑high 10th, and a year later he beat Andy Murray and Roberto Bautista‑Agut on the grass to reach another Wimbledon semi. But the momentum stalled; by 2022 he was still inside the top 20, yet the following year his form slipped and he fell outside the top 100 before clawing back to 23rd in 2025.
Now 27, Shapovalov’s struggles are mirrored in the court’s rhythm. “I feel like I’m constantly fighting to get back to that rhythm,” he said. He’s found an unlikely ally in his wife, Mirjam Shapovalova, a former Swedish player who once ranked No. 123 and played three Grand Slam main draws.
Their partnership extends beyond love; she’s become his on‑court analyst. “She helps me out a lot — she was a smart player and sees the game well,” he recalled. The couple has been hitting practice courts together since the Australian Open, with Mirjam offering tactical tweaks that shave milliseconds from his serve.
As Shapovalov gears up for the upcoming ATP Masters in Madrid, he’s hoping the blend of personal support and strategic refinement will spark a comeback. The next test will be the Australian Open, where he must prove he can still challenge the elite.