Denis Shapovalov | Rise and Fall of the Canadian Tennis Prodigy
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- čas přidán 29. 12. 2023
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With his flashy playing style and big on-court energy, Shapovalov had all the makings of a future star with staying power …
But flash-forward six years, and despite some impressive streaks, his career has been far from the success story that many had initially predicted. At one point considered the flagship star of Canada’s new up-and-coming tennis generation, you’d now be hard-pressed to find him anywhere near the conversation as a contender for the “next generation” of great male tennis players - so what’s happened to Shapo?
CULT TENNIS brings you player profiles and analyzes some of the best stories in the world of Tennis! Subscribe to see more content like this, and thank you for stopping by!
Video written by Vikram Nijhawan
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“More levelheaded peers” *proceeds to show picture of tsitsipas*
I hear ya, but Tsitsipas has certainly had a lot more career success so far than Shapo.
Another great video mate :) hope Shapo can get back to that 2017/2021 level
Good to see u watching others vids
ITS CAM!!
Wassup Cam
Well, actually those years there were hopes he could get at a higher level. But yea, that at least would be good.
Shapovalov doesn’t have high tennis IQ to know the right place and power to hit where and when, ie not the brightest spark. That’s why he’ll never be a #1 player or a slam winner.
I remember seeing him at my work and buying some shoes while he was in Adelaide and he was such a nice guy once I knew who it was. He even suggested us getting a photo together before I could even say it myself. Was so happy with the experience
He is still one of my fav players with his one handed flying backhand! I hope he can bounce back for sure.
I'm in Adelaide right now for a university course. That's a really cool story.
@@TheseHoesAreLoyal FTLOG! What's your point or are you a toddler!! ♠
@@TheseHoesAreLoyal yea it was epic. One of my co workers was serving him having no idea who he was. I freaked out in excitement and had a true fan moment 😂 as I said he suggested the picture and I still have the photos. It was so amazing
I feel like Shapo still possess immense talent and that he truly just needs a real coach and to mature his game a little bit. He's too flashy and wants to go big all the time
He’s washed
He doesn’t have high tennis IQ to know the right place and power to hit where and when, ie not the brightest spark. That’s why he’ll never be a #1 player or a slam winner.
I think it's mostly mental. I actually don't think him wanting to go big is a problem or that he does it too often, it's just that he's rarely played with much confidence & when you're a player whose game is inherently a high risk high reward style then confidence is even more important than for the likes of Khachanov, Krajinovic, Coric kinda players who are more about consistency. I really hope he finds a way to put it together because he might be my favourite player to watch when he's on song.
It's a problem I notice in a lot of sports now. Caring more about going viral, from big moments, than having good, consistent success.
Yeah way too flashy for his own good. Risk vs reward is just not there with his game no chance.
Martina Navratilova once said that your level of success is not determined by how good you are at your best, but how good you are at your worst. That sums up Shapovalov's career. When he's good, he's stunning. When he's bad, he's terrible. It's all accentuated by his strokes - there's very little margin for error with them. It's all or nothing, and too often, it's nothing. Like so many other flashy players, Shapo is too reliant on mood and timing. If either of them are off, he really is powerless.
Met him a few months ago in the locker room at my club. Such a nice dude, we talked and I couldnt believe how down to earth he was. Wishing him all the best in 2024
I see him sometimes at my club too😂. We should hit sometime!
dang i wanna meet him
Was he playing a 3.5 tourny?
It's mindboggling to think he's only won 1 measly title (a 250) since his upsets over Nadal and Del Potro 7 yrs ago.
I thought him & Felix would be a great rivalry but Felix has really surpassed him in titles.( I know he has struggled recently as well). Their career prize money is both $11 mill.
He's probably just lost interest. Del and Nadal are just more experienced and WAY better. No upset at all. He makes more money then most of us ever will. Where's your atp titles?
Worried that Felix has reached his peak
@@GhostruckerXif that’s the case then athletes can be shielded from any sort of criticism lol. He’s stating the truth
@@mike04574 I think they can both come back & be successful. Hope to see them in the future, would be cool if they played doubles at the Olympics
I still think Shapo can make a comeback. He needs someone like David Ferrer in his coaching circle. A player who was fiery as well but grinded long points with discipline, unlike Shapo.
He celebrates every point he wins as if he won the match rather than concentrating until the end...
Denis was one of my favorite next gen. His style is so unique and incredibly entertaining. Personally I do have a preference for aggressive players with fluent swing from both sides, such as Federer, Alcaraz, and Sinner. Unfortunately the inconsistency has prevented Denis from winning any big titles, and the setback he’s had in the last couple of years is very disappointing.
I really hope he can get back and becomes a more complete and consistent player.
“Measly 250” is crazy. I feel like people don’t understand how hard it is to win and be consistent on tour. It’s clear to see that his confidence is shot, he’s still so young. Maybe reel it in with speaking in absolutes 😅
Yh most people have no perspective when discussing sports in general just winning ATP titles is an achievement. It's like your either elite or you get classed as not that good to majority of fans which is just crazy and ignorant.
Shapovalov is a really good player anyway and he is exciting to watch...
Absolutely agree
On his groundstrokes, he takes these enormous swings on both sides, especially on his backhand, which do not suit the current hit from the back of the court for 30 rally shots in the modern game. Top players are great at playing a defensive styles forcing you to hit another shot, and Shapo's baseline game, because of his technique, does not allow for this. That is why he just goes for broke so quickly in the rally.
He's kind of like the left handed inferior version of Wawrinka. That dude is willing to trade from the back.
@@JiraiyaSama86 Eeh, I wouldn't say so, Wawrinka imo is an exception for one-handers, he focuses on hitting harder than the opponent and doesn't rely as much on speed. Shapo looked more like a one handed Federer to me, going for more flashy stuff but less consistent. It's hard to compare though cuz we don't have as much matches of Shapo at that level.
@@jonas8993 It's hard for me to compare Shapo to Federer given how big a swing the guy has on his shots. And how he's more one-dimensional.
@@JiraiyaSama86 I didn't really notice that the swings were longer or shorter compared to Roger, I mean his backhand is not a short swing for sure but same as Roger's and Shapo's forehand is pretty economical I think.
The one-dimensional aspect I'd attribute that to his struggles. I think peak Shapo (when he's playing top10) is a pretty similar player to Roger, excellent footwork, trying to stay anchored on the baseline, some flashy stuff and net plays. What differs the most I'd say is his game is still more rough than Roger's, like he'll still get into some rallies and not be as decisive as Roger which would always do something surprising or uncomfortable for the opponent.
But overall, what's more obvious in my eyes is how quick and light on his feet he is, and that looks more like Roger to me than Stan.
If he had a better slice then he might feel more comfortable trading backhands against grinders. Dimitrov and Evans are good examples of patience.
love that when he said "level headed peers" they showed TSISIPAS?!?! lmfao
I always thought Jannik Sinner and Denis Shapovalov were very similar. They both have incredible power and play incredibly aggressive tennis, with little margin. But what Jannik has shown is a dedication to improve, a willingness to learn, and has developed a mentality and tennis iq that I doubt Dennis ever will
Sinner is closer to Djokovic in all aspects...
Sinner is way more mature and showing a willingness to learn. I do agree that they have very similar styles. I even made the comparison. But at least Sinner can sustain and win more.
They both play powerful aggressive tennis but their styles couldn't be more different. Shapo is balls to the wallz go big or go home always every shot. Sinner is a tactician biding his time constructing points and always thinking 3 steps ahead.
Jannik is a multi talent . He was a ski champion too . His expertise skiing also helps bring balance to his tennis game .
Darren Cahill is partly to credit for Sinner's rise. Shapo's most recent former coach Youzhny suggested that Denis had off-court interests that were affecting his tennis.
I was at the Shapo vs Nadal match and it was the most crowd engagement I've experienced in a tennis match
must be unreal to be there, that’s sick
I was very excited when Shapo came on the scene. It was completely clear he had a very special talent and, as part of that, the thrill of watching him execute such big (and apparently effortless) shots. But it became clear that the mental tenacity and agility was not following along (or developing along) with the sheer physical talent. Unless he can somehow develop the mental/psychological side of his game, I think we've seen the best of him already.
07:10 Damn, El Shapo actually hits more double faults than Zverev 😮
2 uploads in the space of 2 weeks. It's a Christmas Miracle!
Ben Shelton today feels like Shapo in 2019.
I think Ben is better mentally
@@thisoldman99 That's fair. I feel more optimistic about Shelton's trajectory than Shapo's.
Shapovalov made 0 changes to his game since 2017. Shelton has 1 year on tour and tweaked his forehand already. That is a sign of good coaching and commitment to improve.
I love shapo and absolute fun watching him in person really do hope he comes back
Amazing content, well researched and very informative
Tuve la oportunidad de verlo jugar en vivo en Madrid 2018 vs Edmund. Quede impresonado con su potencia y capacidad de lanzar bombas desde todos los golpes. Espero que shapo vuelva al lugar al que pertenece en el tour🔥
Great research and video as always. Thanks
More vids like this bruh love these
Shapo style of play reminded me a little bit of Fernando Gonzalez. He went all in in almost every point, and didnt reach his true potencial until he was coached by Larry Stefansky, where he learnt to play patiently, use a lot of BH slices, and make fewer unforced errors (he made just 3 UE against Haas in semis of australia 2007).
Bottomline, Shapo needs a coach change, and has to be willing to make the effort to be better, both technically and mentally.
Australia 2018? Er, I'm sure you mean 2007.
@@ashleythomas4112 lol true..thanks!! have to stop using fentanyl.
To be fair, Milos Raonic was the top Canadian when Shapovalov debuted. Shapovalov exploded in popularity in Canada when he entered the ATP and was marketed as the junior wimbledon winner.
The best tennis content creator on this platform
Shapo vs rublev at US Open 2022 was a great 5 setter
Tennis is tough… he’s a great player and that’s not enough! he’s probably a top 30 player and there’s nothing wrong with that… the lack of tournament wins is the difference between top 10 and 30.
Early! Thank you for the hard work as usual!
Shapo seems like a great guy, hopefully he’ll overcome his issues and reach his potential like Djokovic did
At his best I think he can hang with the best, but tennis is such a mental game and people don’t realize the impact and toll that can take on players. I love his style but until he figures out his mental demons there’s no way he breaks into the top 10
this edit is beautiful
I love shapo! Favorite player, obviously he needs to improve his consistancy, defiently needs a coach to find that balance on the court, keep smashin those raquets el shapo!
So serious; I randomly thought a couple days ago: "Where the heck is Denis? Haven't heard from him"
Only through a couple minutes, but I know this is gonna be good
Thanks for watching!
great video as always
It’s a shame his career doesn’t seem to be going anywhere because he’s one of the best players to watch. I think he would have found more success if he’d been around 20-25 years ago when the courts were faster.
Nice vid mate
When he finally decides to do significantly less of what he wants to do and focus more on what he has to and can do, that might help him.
There are several things about his style that if he really wants to sustain, he'll likely have to do. Sharpen his footwork and balance. Probably past Federer level. Discipline himself on timing the ball, and I mean way higher than what he's shown. And because this style is very explosive, he'll really need to take care of his stamina in and out of points.
The player that's most similar, I think, in playstyle right now is Jannik Sinner. That dude hits hard and when he's on, has a very high tempo style of play that can really push a player.
Or, he'll(Shapo) have to change a lot of what he does.
Still have a jumbo ball with his signature on it from 2017
2017 was a bit of a bogey season in tennis, with many players able to have their best ever success with pretty much only a big forehand. However, in 2021 Shapo definitely showed he had all the tools to be a top 10 regular and big title winner. Shame we haven't seen him put them all together consistently yet
Cult Tennis the goat
wake up cult tennis posted!!!!!
He would be like Bouchard then. Canadian, aggressive, deep run at Wimbledon, full of promise
"Been overshadowed by consistent and level headed peers"
> Tsitsipas
So talented
Shapo also faltered during that 2021 Wimbledon semi against Djokovic. He had chances in all three sets but faltered when it mattered most
Great video, thanks
I wish you ll make a video about Gulbis. He is the only "lost talent" I know basically nothing about. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year buddy
He’s one of my favorites!
Tennis players that wear caps usually don’t enter vaulted status. Constricts blood flow to head. Nadal, Fed and in recent years, Djokovic don’t wear hats.
Rune? Sinner? De Minaur?
Agree, hats need to go, replace with visor.
@@antonydandan6255 yep, they’ll never get to vaulted status with a cap.
Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, etc. they never figured it out despite my incessant pleas. 💁
One of the best loooking game on tour.
He's still only 24! but his playstyle is not really sustainable for consistent high level play I feel.. And he hasn't changed it. Honestly, we are almost seeing FAA follow the shapo route after his performance last year.
This is really solid work here. Shapavalov has a lot of talent sure, but his serve is a liability which is shocking considering he's a lefty and he's just not physically strong enough. He's still very young tho and players are playing for a very long time these days so he does have a whole decade to get it together. I think we can do a video on Felix Auger Aliassime as well as he's kind of drifted off the radar when he had a WHOLE lot of heat behind him in past seasons as he was making moves but not in GS tournies unfortunately.
well felix made a semi final and alot of quarters it's not that bad
He may be falling off but he at least has his rap career to back him up
🤣🤣🤣Please be saying that sarcastically.
Youzhny confirmed what we all were thinking.
yea and it really sucks. he is a super talented player and I would love to see him have good success
Wait what did he say?
@@Giangpro95 “I felt like I can’t bring him the change he needed - he is listening, but he is not fully doing what he needs to do in order to be a top player,” said Youzhny.
“Two or three years ago, he was one of the guys who could consistently be in the top 10, but for that to happen, he needed to change a few things outside tennis.”
“He must be healthy 100 percent, first and foremost, and physically better. Main thing - he has to try to put tennis as his priority. It is his priority for most of the time, but in my opinion, he made some wrong decisions where he didn’t make tennis as the priority”.
@@roter13 thanks
Why is Tsitsipas considered "level-headed".........
I agree with your comparison to Kyrgios. A couple years ago Shapo said he burns out on tennis which kills his enjoyment and needs some time off once in a while, just like Nick. Hopefully the time off with his knee injury will reignite the fire in him.
Tennis commentators could not go one match without mentioning he beat Nadal in 2017, I heard it all the way to 2023
The Word of Tennis needs a players like Alcaraz, Kyrgios, Shapovalov etc. Beautiful and objective game...is so much better
11:10: Wow! Two minutes into the video, I was also thinking he was like this other player. I think the comparisons are viable. Denis' dabbling into a side hustle, music was a bad sign. Being competitive on the international tennis tour week in and week out requires total dedication 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and this showed he is not fully in on tennis. His opponents are. If you want to play with music, do it AFTER you leave professional tennis.
I need more Jannik pls
I wish the best for shapo. He’s so wonderful to watch play when he’s on song. I imagine it’s hard to win big with his game style though, it’s so hot and cold
His struggles are attributable to two principal reasons: 1) a sense of “entitlement” and 2) lack of discipline. Contrast this to Alcaraz and Nadal, who demonstrate personal *leadership* by training and playing with maximal discipline and an unwavering work ethic at all times.
Ouch! You had to hit him there, didn't you? Lol
@@JiraiyaSama86 Dude, I’d take all those cons to have a fiancée like Björklund ;)
@@mfzoom5401 DUDE!! Wanna' know the "price tag" to maintain her!! ♠
Good analysis. I think you're correct. He comes from privilege and everything comes too easy for him.
@@davidhunternyc1 Au contraire....He does not come from privilege but does suffer from a "sense of entitlement". His "hot dog" attitude, wreckless
temperament and mediocre athletic skills are well suited as a tennis coach
in Team Canada and the BEIGE association it represents.
Can't wait for the 2024 Shapo comeback
well he is an aspiring rapper after all. Great culture
Lets go cult tennia
Still my favorite player!
One handed backhand is history. Hitting it while jumping is a new way to self destruct yourself at tennis court.
You can do a lot of these analyses just on Canadian players. FAA and Bouchard come to mind.
FAA was unlucky last year. This year a very important year for him
Shapo is a good guy. Hopefully will be back.
He will come back , he is young still
It boils down to only one thing, attitude. Players like mcenroe ,conners got away because game then was far less competitive. Kyrgios,Shapovalov....etc are mentally weak, buckle under pressure and start making scenes when loosing. That's not how champions like Sampras,Federer,Nadal, Djokovic are built.
As a Canadian. It hurts
HAAAA!!!!! On the world stage......ANYTHING "Canadian" hurts!!!!!!! 🖤♠
That's Trudeau.
@@danjonmills Such PROFANITY!! ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!! 🖤♠
Must be frustrating to be that talented and in order to be among the best consistently, have to tame your talents because the flashy play is also risky and when NOT losing becomes so important, it becomes a liability to play that way.
I love playing tennis but to have to win all the time just means certain things that kind of turn me away from the competitive scene. I see a phenom talent like Shapo and wonder if he feels a similar way, like he isn't allowed to play he wants to play. He has to play the way that wins and the best players are adaptable to that, mentally and physically.
Good take, I think of Ostapenko in a similar vein. It's a sad part of all competitive sports in general. All these athletes who play with soul and fire can't just be themselves, they have to play in a framework to win just because of rules. It feels so stifling. The ones who get most of the glory figure out the system and balance but tend to be way less enjoyable to watch.
Please do a video on David nalbandian
A bad tempered Argy that never won a damn thing of note.
There, saved you the need.
@danjonmills He made a Grand Slam final, won 11 career titles, Masters Cup, 2 Masters events but he won nothing according to you... OK whatever you say you must either have very high standards or you're a troll.
He’s looking good in Miami right now
i had such high hopes.
Hell be back in top 30
The forever fallen prodigy, has a nice ring to it
3:33 - is that hat oversized? It just looks like a normal dri-FIT hat and not the featherlight/tennis cap.
In the scene of nadal winning the Roger’s cup. Why was his opponent standing in the middle of the baseline to return his serve on championship point.
Shapo and FAA should become more consistent. Both of them are highly talented Canadians 🇨🇦
It's all mental. Tennis is a big mental game if you want to remain at the top (top 30). And to burst through to the elite level (top 8), you will need some serious girth, mental toughness and physical conditioning in order to earn these spots. Talent will only bring you so far. Shapovalov has the right mindset when he plays but he lacks consistency to push through. It feels like if he wins a tough match against a top opponent, or winning a big tournament, he then seems gassed out or something. Not like the youngsters in the current top 10, after winning something big, they are hungry for more, I have never seen Shapovalov being really hungry to chase and test those waters beyond him.
You can't be on the top 30 with that serve. Shapovalov double faults 10 times a match. His forehand misses the court off by 3 meters. He decided to not improve nothing. He fights, he wants to win, that's not missing. What's missing is being humble, humble to accept your game is limited. Humble to accept a coach helping you change and improve, which from all accounts he doesn't. Maturity to take the hard decisions of making uncomfortable changes that will bring better results in the future. Looks bad from match to match as his game is inconsistent.
The day he accepts his game will not take him to a Grand Slam win, that his serve and forehand are a problem, that his tactics are bad and he commits to a coach and a process to improve, that day we will see him again in the top. Until then he can wonder why hitting 10 double faults and hitting the ball as hard as you can doesn't bring you wins no matter the amount of self belief in your game.
He'll always have his rap career. Maybe Shapo can duet with Dirt Nasty & Ed Skrein.
This channel is like the tabloids of tennis.
He needs to hire Brad Gilbert
Excellent, well constructed, professional video. But with 135K subs you don't need to be told that! Keep up the good work and don't follow in Shapo's shoes!!!!!! LOL!! 🖤♠
He will always be cherished and will go down in history for nailing that stupid chair empire. THANK GOD THAT at least one player stood up to those criminal not sees!!!!
That's so sad what happened to Shapovalov
Stockholm isn't a "lowly 250 tournament". It has a decades-long history and was a M1000-euqivalent tournament for YEARS. Also it attracted some of the best players in the world
Shapo definitely has a big game and lot of tools; the IT factor which every grand slam winner must have. But mental game is also important. I just hope he doesnt turn out like Benoit Paire, Tsonga, Fognini, etc who had similar explosive power but not consistent enough over 2 weeks and 5 sets.
Great summary! Fingers crossed Shapo has a break out year soon! 😊
4:53 who is that on the left?
I remember watching him play juniors. He reminds me of my son❤️ Hoping to see him do well in 2024
💯 you covered it all. I think he needs his mother back.
He had a great role model to look up to, Greg Gretzky. Shame he hasn't lived up to Canada's greatest player. Theres still time though
who tf is greg gretzky ?
@@markthomas3730 exactly
W Lloyd Harris cameo
Was a shapovalov fan until 1:55
Fell like RIMM