Denis Shapovalov on marriage, balance and comeback with Mirjam Bjorklund: ‘She always kept me calm’ | ATP Tour

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Shapovalov on marriage, balance and comeback: ‘She always kept me calm’

Canadians discuss supporting wife Mirjam Bjorklund through tough times

October 27, 2025

For Denis Shapovalov, it was a year of rediscovery. There were also milestone achievements off the field.

Titles in Dallas and Los Cabos marked his renaissance, while his marriage to former WTA player Mirjam Bjorklund brought a sense of calm and balance to his life. Now that Shapovalov is back in the top 25 of the PIF ATP Rankings, he feels both grounded and inspired — though, as he jokes, he’s been influenced by another member of the family, their dog Yatzy.

“I think having a dog will change things much more than having a wedding,” Shapovalov joked to ATPTour.com in Paris. “We have to get used to calling each other husband and wife, but other than that, everything between us has stayed pretty much the same. Having our dog in our lives is definitely a cool addition.”

If Shapovalov seems more relaxed on and off the court these days, he admits that much of that comes from Bjorklund’s consistent play. The pair, who tied the knot in a picturesque Greek ceremony last month, have long been one of tennis’s closest couples and both understand the highs and lows of life on tour.

Shapovalov missed the final six months of the 2023 season with a left knee injury, and it’s uncertain whether he can rediscover his explosive best. During that period, Bjorklund was his pillar of strength.

“She’s a big reason why I’m able to do this today,” Shapovalov said. “She has been with me for many years and has seen me through my ups and downs. Especially during my injuries, which were a very difficult time in my life.

“Even when I came back, I had a lot of conversations with her, saying ‘I’m not sure I’m going to get back to the level I was at’. But she always kept me calm and told me to work on it a little at a time. She was confident that I would get back to where I am today, so a lot of credit to her.”

This belief has translated into results. Shapovalov, who has 26 wins in 2025, has had a strong season that also included reaching the semifinals in Stockholm and the quarterfinals in Basel, where he was forced to retire in the third set against eventual champion Joao Fonseca.

The familiar rhythm of the indoor hard-court swing on the ATP Tour has always suited the 26-year-old: His powerful groundstrokes and aggressive returns thrive under the lights and faster conditions.

“I always felt like I could play good tennis at this stage of the season indoors,” Shapovalov said. “It always allows me to play my best tennis. I feel comfortable and I’ve been able to play some really good matches recently, so I’m happy with that.”

Now, at the Rolex Paris Masters, Shapovalov will get a chance for quick revenge when he faces the #NextGenATP Brazilian in the first round on Tuesday. Although he fell 0-1 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series, the Canadian will be able to recall fond memories of his time in the French capital, where he reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final in 2019 before losing to Novak Djokovic.

Despite a move to La Défense Arena for the 2025 season and a lingering right knee injury – the reason for his retirement at Basel – Shapovalov remains optimistic.

“This year is a little different because it’s a different surface, but I’ve been able to play good tennis over multiple seasons during this time, so I always have a good feeling no matter where I play indoors,” Shapovalov said. “Being back in Paris – the last big event of the year – is very special for me.”