Shapovalov: "I will try to be more consistent to return to the top 10"

Pedro de Pablos | 23 Feb 2026 | 20.42

Shapovalov: "I Will Try to Be More Consistent to Return to the Top 10"

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Denis Shapovalov is going through a process of changes with the aim of returning to the top of the ATP rankings. After several years of doubts and injuries, the Canadian tennis player is currently ranked number 36 in the ATP rankings, and following his semifinal run in Dallas, he is determined to continue improving his game to achieve great long-term goals.

In an interview with Tennis TV before the ATP 500 in Dubai 2026, Shapovalov talked about the importance of his wife Mirjam Bjorklund in his recent tournaments, the new generation of players making waves on the circuit, and what he needs to do to return to the top 10 of the ATP rankings in a year where he aims to gain consistency and compete for major titles as he did at the beginning of his career.

"I am in a transitional period. My wife has been a great help to me, especially in Dubai. She was a player herself and has a deep understanding of tennis. We always discuss my game, so it's easy for her, and the advice she has given me was very helpful in Dallas and hopefully will be here as well," he stated. They got married at the end of last year, and Mirjam, due to her past on the WTA circuit, plays a crucial role in Denis' development.

Shapovalov talks about his goal of returning to the top 10

"I live in Dubai, so it's nice to play an event at home where you're very relaxed. Winning Dallas last year led me to try to defend the title; I had a great semifinal match against Shelton where I had a bit of bad luck at the end, but I was happy with my performance. Ben is a tough opponent, he hasn't lost many matches, and I've never beaten him. Being so close to winning and playing at that level was very good. He played well on the key points, but it gave me confidence for what's to come," he acknowledged.

He also discussed his time in the top 10 and his goals for 2026. "I think the tour is more challenging now. I don't want to take away credit when I reached the top 10, but it also coincided with the Covid era, and I believe there are now some very good new players. It's very difficult to get there. You need big results throughout the year, and that's what I'll aim for this year. Last year, I won two titles, but I also had slumps, so I'll try to be more consistent to return to the top 10," he added.

Shapovalov will make his ATP Dubai 2026 debut against Pablo Carreño

However, the Canadian player knows that the level on tour is increasing, with two beasts standing above the rest. "There are several new players with a lot of talent, in addition to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, making it an interesting period in tennis. Despite being young and having a long career, I've been around for several years, and some see me as a veteran, but I still have a long way to go. For this Dubai tournament, I'm not a seeded player, but I arrive with confidence to achieve a good result."

There's no doubt that the Canadian player has an abundance of tennis skills, and if he can find consistency, he could pose a threat to any player on the tour. For now, on Tuesday, February 24, he will debut in Dubai against the Spanish player Pablo Carreño Busta, who came through the qualifying rounds and will try to halt the good form of one of the most technical and talented players on the ATP circuit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shapovalov: "Intentaré ser más consistente para volver al top 10"