Denis Shapovalov, the dynamic Canadian tennis sensation, is well aware of the advice floating around from analysts and fans alike: he needs to keep the ball in play more often.
However, the world No. 58 stands firm in his belief that his bold shot-making is the true hallmark of his game.
“I thrive on applying pressure to my opponents. I aim to take away their time and create an intense atmosphere where they feel suffocated. That’s just the player I am,” Shapovalov expressed as he gears up for the Australian Open, commencing this Sunday in Melbourne.
“Many have advised me to play with more caution, to tone it down. But that approach takes away from my natural game.”
“During my time in the top 10, my play was characterized by aggression and precision. I balanced patience with an attacking style. That’s the essence of the tennis I must continue to showcase,” he added.
Shapovalov is set to kick off his Australian Open journey on Monday against the seasoned and steady Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.
The 25-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario, boasts two victories over Bautista Agut on fast hard courts in 2024.
Canadians are making their mark at the first Grand Slam of the year, with a strong contingent vying for glory.
Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime is riding high after clinching the Adelaide International title last Saturday, entering the tournament as the No. 29 seed and ready to face Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany.
Also hailing from Montreal, Gabriel Diallo prepares to take on Italy’s Luca Nardi.
On the women’s side, Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino is set to clash with No. 22 seed Katie Boulter from the U.K.
Laval’s Leylah Fernandez is also poised to make her mark as the No. 30 seed, gearing up for a match against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Later on, Fernandez will join forces for women’s doubles with Nadiia Kichenok from Ukraine, facing off against Australian wild cards Talia Gibson and Maya Joint.
Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski reunites with her partner Erin Routliffe from New Zealand as the No. 2 seeded team, set to compete against Americans Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk in the opening round.
Vernon, B.C.’s Vasek Pospisil will join forces with Australia’s Jordan Thompson for men’s doubles, entering as wild cards against France’s Greoire Jacq and Orlando Luz of Brazil.
As he approaches the Australian Open, Shapovalov is aligned with a fresh coaching perspective in Janko Tipsarevic, a 40-year-old Serbian.
Tipsarevic, who attained a career-high ranking of No. 8 and claimed four ATP Tour titles before hanging up his racket in 2019, is the latest addition to Shapovalov’s coaching team.
The two began collaborating in December in Dubai after a one-week assessment during an ATP event in Basel, Switzerland, last October.
Importantly, Tipsarevic is focused on maintaining Shapovalov’s aggressive playing style rather than dimming it down.
“He has a genuine admiration for my game. He believes that I should continue to play aggressively, while we also work on making slight adjustments with footwork and shot selection to ensure I capitalize on the right opportunities,” shared Shapovalov. “He aims to help me preserve my identity, and that’s why our partnership has started off on a high note.”
After a challenging 2023 season marred by injuries, where he ended with a record of 13-13, Shapovalov rebounded well last year.
He faced a slump that saw him drop to No. 140 in the rankings by July but fought back to earn a title at a tournament in Belgrade by November.
“My tennis just improved steadily as the season progressed. I felt it was only a matter of time before a breakthrough occurred, and I was thrilled it happened in the last week of the year,” Shapovalov reflected.
His 2025 season got off to a rocky start in Hong Kong, where he fell ill and was eliminated by Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the round of 32.
“I was confined to my room, battling a fever, doing everything possible to make it back on the court,” Shapovalov recounted, noticing that several other players were also affected by a similar illness. “I’m feeling much better as the days progress after my time in Adelaide.”
As Shapovalov aims to ascend the rankings, he is set on embracing consistency while staying true to his game—regardless of external opinions.
“It might seem to outsiders that I’m giving up or throwing away matches when the going gets tough, but I relentlessly pursue my game. It could appear chaotic at times, yet that’s the essence of how I win and lose games. When I showcase my authentic style, I can be incredibly tough to beat,” he concluded.
