Denis Shapovalov: Future multi-slam winner or next Fernando Gonzalez/James Blake?

[clout]

At 21 years old, he's the youngest among his next-gen contemporaries but he rose to stardom at just 18 years old and still hasn't won a title above 250. He's made progress in the last year but he's still very inconsistent, error-prone and still doesn't seem to construct points that well on a regular basis. He reminds me a lot of two throwback players, James Blake and Fernando Gonzalez who similar to Shapo, crushed the daylights out of every ball, had massive forehands, but lacked the overall consistency to ever win any big titles or be the best in the world.

I definitely think he has the potential to be a multi-slam winner, especially if he can learn to play more controlled but if he can't then he could end up with a career similar to Blake and Gonzo. Again, he is still just 21 years old so he's still a pretty green player and has a lot of time on his side.

The one thing Shapo has working for him is that he's played quite well against his age-group rivals so far. He has a winning record against Medvedev, Tsistipas, Berretinni, Khachenov and won his last 2 matches against Zverev. He's struggled with the big 3 since his famous win against Rafa though (which now looks a bit fluke-ish) as he's taken just two sets off the big 3 in their last 8 encounters since Montreal '17.

 

[BGod]

Covid robbed him off some progress. Namely Sunshine Double and Canada/Shanghai.

Yes I think by default he wins at least 2 Slams barring injury.

 

[MeatTornado]

No reason to think he's not a Blake/Gonzo at this point. A dangerous top 10 opponent who you don't want to play, but probably isn't going to win 7 in a row over Bo5.

He's flashy and fun to watch, but he hasn't shown any of the fundamental tactical awareness or mental strength required to win multiple slams. But I thought the same of Thiem a few years ago, so we'll see. There's plenty of time for him to improve.

 

[Topspin 365]

Agree. The shortened season robbed him. If we had been in a regular full-season, he would have at least finished in the top ten and made the WTF.

 

[RiverRat]

As a fan, I'm encouraged to see his willingness to come to the net to finish points. Unfortunately, like his backcourt game, he seems to lack the awareness of when and how to attack. Someone here posts often about his need to develop an underspin backhand as part of his defense. That and just a willingness to play defense and extend points, at times, would be a big improvement. Some of his late season failures will hopefully humble him and teach him he needs to be able to scale back his game when he's not at his best or his opponent has the advantage.

 

[Red Rick]

No reason to think he's not a Blake/Gonzo at this point. A dangerous top 10 opponent who you don't want to play, but probably isn't going to win 7 in a row over Bo5.

He's flashy and fun to watch, but he hasn't shown any of the fundamental tactical awareness or mental strength required to win multiple slams. But I thought the same of Thiem a few years ago, so we'll see. There's plenty of time for him to improve.

Gonzo's forehand would destroy the Tour in 2020. Shame the rest of his game was so underwhelming.

 

[Third Serve]

Gonzo's forehand would destroy the Tour in 2020. Shame the rest of his game was so underwhelming.

I'd be very curious to see what damage he might do if he brought his AO 2007 form into one of these recent AOs.

 

[MeatTornado]

I'd be very curious to see what damage he might do if he brought his AO 2007 form into one of these recent AOs.

Gonzo looking great

Will lose to Novak at AO

 

[NatF]

Gonzo's forehand would destroy the Tour in 2020. Shame the rest of his game was so underwhelming.

Think Gonzo moved better and had a better serve than someone like Wawrinka, wouldn't say the rest of his game was underwhelming.

 

[Red Rick]

Think Gonzo moved better and had a better serve than someone like Wawrinka, wouldn't say the rest of his game was underwhelming.

His backhand was dire and didn't have much of a return game. Serve also clearly worse than Wawrinka.

 

[Red Rick]

I'd be very curious to see what damage he might do if he brought his AO 2007 form into one of these recent AOs.

More death than COVID.

 

[Third Serve]

More death than COVID.

Would crush both NextGen and NextGerm with his mighty forehands.

 

[Red Rick]

Would crush both NextGen and NextGerm with his mighty forehands.

He was the Mano de Piedra for a reason.

 

[abmk]

His backhand was dire and didn't have much of a return game. Serve also clearly worse than Wawrinka.

Gonzo's BH wasn't dire by any means. Also not a weakness in AO 07. worked fairly well.
Serving in AO 07 was similar to Wawrinka's in AO 14 - even though overall slightly inferior

 

[Start da Game]

i cannot imagine his dumb tennis translating to a slam victory........but who knows worse things have happened in weak era, so........

 

[NatF]

His backhand was dire and didn't have much of a return game. Serve also clearly worse than Wawrinka.

Think both return games won and service games won percentages are similar. Don't think you can say either of those shots are clearly weaker. I did probably overrate his serve somewhat, I thought he got a bit more pop on it on average but looking at some match stats it looks like Wawrinka got more on the first and about even on the second.

His backhand was a weakness most of the time for sure. Not saying he was a better player, just that you undersold his game a little. He had a poor backhand and almost a Monfils mentality where he was almost more interested in showing off the mph on his fh than winning.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Shapovalov has the talent and tools to beat anyone. He lacks the mental capacity to win a tournament still. I mean he can win 3-4 matches in a roll but that is it. He either lacks the mental power or will to win the semis or finals.

 

[Red Rick]

Think both return games won and service games won percentages are similar. Don't think you can say either of those shots are clearly weaker. I did probably overrate his serve somewhat, I thought he got a bit more pop on it on average but looking at some match stats it looks like Wawrinka got more on the first and about even on the second.

His backhand was a weakness most of the time for sure. Not saying he was a better player, just that you undersold his game a little. He had a poor backhand and almost a Monfils mentality where he was almost more interested in showing off the mph on his fh than winning.

He just didn't have the game to back up his forehand like say Del Potro. Return game breaks down vs top 10.