Denis Shapovalov faced another early exit at the Canadian Open in Toronto, losing his opening match to Learner Tien. Despite entering the tournament with strong momentum after winning the Los Cabos Open, Shapovalov remains challenged by his performances at his home event, where he has struggled to find comfort on the courts.
Since reaching the semifinals in 2017, Shapovalov has yet to progress beyond the third round of the Canadian Open. This is especially notable given the early praise he received from tennis legend John McEnroe, who once compared watching Shapovalov to seeing a reflection of himself on the court.
How John McEnroe Saw Himself in Denis Shapovalov’s Game Back in 2017
Denis Shapovalov first emerged on the global tennis stage during the 2017 US Open, then only his second Grand Slam tournament. After successfully advancing through qualifying rounds, he won his first three matches, beating players such as Daniil Medvedev and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and captured attention with his aggressive style and pace.
Shapovalov’s run to the fourth round prompted John McEnroe to comment during a Eurosport broadcast on the Canadian’s potential. McEnroe said,
“I don’t know if he can go all the way, but I think the way things stand down in the lower half, I don’t see any reason why he can’t make a deeper run.”
He added,
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence, he’s extremely quick,”
before sharing a striking comparison between himself and Shapovalov:
“I love the guy, he reminds me of someone, someone who used to play this game long ago.” —John McEnroe
“It’s awesome, he’s learning quick, he believes in himself, it’s amazing to sort of watch yourself in the mirror.” —John McEnroe
“He plays the way I’d play if I was 18 now, the game has changed, but in essence he’s doing the same thing.” —John McEnroe
Although Shapovalov’s 2017 US Open journey ended with a straight-sets loss to Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round, the promise shown during that period set high expectations for his career trajectory.
The Ongoing Struggles of Denis Shapovalov at the Canadian Open
The Canadian Open alternates venues annually between Toronto and Montreal for the men’s and women’s events. Over his career at this tournament, Shapovalov’s results have been uneven. He enjoyed his best success in Montreal, reaching the semifinals in 2017, but has won only five matches there overall and none in the past six years.
In Toronto, the results have been even less favorable. Shapovalov has tallied just three match wins at that venue, with his last victory dating back seven years. These figures reflect a broader pattern of underperformance at his home tournament, where he has not won a match since 2019 regardless of location.
After his recent defeat, Shapovalov himself cited a lack of comfort on the courts as a key reason for his difficulties in Toronto. This ongoing challenge contrasts sharply with his confidence elsewhere, such as his recent title win at Los Cabos.
Shapovalov’s Career Highlights Outside the Canadian Open
While Shapovalov has faced frustrations in Toronto and Montreal, his career includes notable achievements on the international stage. He reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2021, showcasing his ability to compete deep into Grand Slam events. Additionally, in 2019, he reached the final of the Paris Masters 1000, marking one of his highest accomplishments on the ATP Tour.
Despite these successes, the Canadian has not yet translated early promise, including the McEnroe comparison, into consistent dominance or major titles on the sport’s biggest stages.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Shapovalov at Upcoming Tournaments
Currently ranked inside the world’s top 30, Denis Shapovalov still has time to realize the potential recognized during his breakout years. The Canadian Open remains an important milestone for him to conquer, especially if he can regain confidence and consistency on home soil.
Shapovalov is set to return to competition at the Cincinnati Open starting Monday, August 4. A strong performance there could provide momentum heading into future events, including the next edition of the Canadian Open, where a deeper run would mark a significant step forward.
The question remains whether Shapovalov, once seen by McEnroe as a mirror image of his youthful playstyle, can fulfill those early expectations and evolve into a true contender among tennis’s elite.