Shapovalov: "This week I have imposed a fighting mentality"
And he is fulfilling it in a big way, defeating two top 10 players on his way to the final of the ATP 500 in Dallas: "For me, it means reaping the rewards of the preseason".
If at the beginning of the week we had asked who were the two big favorites in this ATP 500 in Dallas 2025, the names of Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul would have topped all the predictions. The two best Americans, both within the top 10... both overwhelmed by the exceptional tennis of Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian has taken the spotlight to reach the final, a man who closed last season with a title in Belgrade. Will he raise his first crown of the year tonight? Before clashing with Casper Ruud in an exciting finale, we hear him analyze the reasons why he is enjoying these days in Texas so much.
Explosive Tournament in 2025
“We had a very good preseason; I felt like I was playing at a high level in every training session but, unfortunately, we were not rewarded during the Australian tour in January. I also had a bit of stomach flu, which made me lose some momentum, so I came out a bit hesitant at the Australian Open, where I couldn't deliver my best performance. What is happening in Dallas these days truly reflects the level that I can play at, showing all the work we have been doing in recent weeks, finally reaping the rewards.”
Keys to Success in Dallas
“Knowing how my game was going to be, how I was going to feel physically this week, has relieved a lot of pressure and enabled me to compete much more freely these days. This even happened during practice sessions, where things hadn't gone too well. I adopted a fighting mentality this week, which is why I am very happy to have finally found my tennis and come through the matches, achieving some great victories.”
Chasing the Biggest Title of His Career
“I am going to give it my all out there; the truth is, I have never won an ATP 500-level title in my career, so winning this title would be a significant step for me. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to maintain what you have been doing well throughout the week, which is bringing my game onto the court, enjoying myself on the court, and putting in maximum effort. We will see if it is written in the stars for me to be the champion.”
‘Changes’ in Personal Life Too
“The biggest news in recent times is that we have just adopted a new puppy into the family. These days, I have Mirjam (Bjorklund) with me and the dog here; they are staying at the hotel, which is very close to the tournament. They are the ones helping me disconnect and truly enjoy everything we have here. Obviously, the facilities are amazing, so it doesn't matter how much time us players spend in them. In the end, it is never just one factor that leads to things going well; it's a combination of various elements.”
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shapovalov: “Esta semana me he impuesto una mentalidad de lucha”