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Denis Shapovalov made a candid comment about himself, calling himself a "mediocre player" after his ranking took a hit in recent seasons. With the 2025 Australian Open approaching, he's focused on pushing himself to reach a new career high.
Shapovalov didn’t have the best 2024 season but still managed to reach the quarterfinals of two ATP 500 events, one in Washington and the other in Basel. The Canadian showed resilience by advancing through all six qualifying matches to make it to the final of the Belgrade Open. There, he clinched the ATP 250 title with a solid 6-4, 6-4 victory over Hamad Medjedovic.
In an exclusive interview with the ATP Tour published on January 7, the Canadian tennis star opened up about his determination to return to the peak form he achieved in 2020.
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“It's the only thing that's kept me in the game, to be honest, trying to get back to the top level of where I was, or trying to go even further,” Shapovalov said.
He added:
“When I stopped with my injury, I told my team, I told my family, that it's not interesting for me to be back and to be an average player. I've been at the top of the game. I've achieved a lot, I think, in my short career.”
The former World No. 10 expressed his desire to break free from mediocrity, declaring that 2025 would be the year to push his limits further.
“So for me, it's either trying to push those limits and go even further, or to stop. For me to be just a mediocre player, it's not for me. It's not interesting,” he said.
To pursue his goals, Shapovalov brought former world No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic onto his coaching team. Tipsarevic, a four-time ATP Tour titlist, also competed in the Nitto ATP Finals in 2011 and 2012.
The Canadian explained that he needed someone like the Serb, who had faced similar challenges in his career, to help him reach his aspirations.
“I think it's super important to have someone like Janko, someone that knows what I'm going through, knows the experiences and the feelings that I feel, and someone that I can really discuss certain things that others might not quite understand.”
He added:
“I think it is tough to understand what it feels like to play a semi-final in a Grand Slam or a big moment match, unless you've been there yourself.”
Denis Shapovalov ended last year ranked No. 58 in the ATP standings. After battling through a knee injury two years ago, he’s now determined to climb back into the Top 10—and even aim for greater heights.
Denis Shapovalov to start Australian Open 2025 campaign against Roberto Bautista Agut
Denis Shapovalov will begin his Australian Open 2025 campaign on Sunday, January 12, facing Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 12 to January 26, 2025. This will be the fourth meeting between the two, with the Canadian leading their head 3-0.
Shapovalov kicked off his 2025 season at the Adelaide International with a promising start, securing a victory in his opening match against China’s Zhizhen Zhang.
However, on Wednesday, January 8, Denis Shapovalov faced a setback, losing to American Marcos Giron in straight sets with scores of 5-7, 2-6.
