“There’s a lot to be happy about. It’s the biggest title of my career,” Denis Shapovalov said in February after conquering Casper Ruud to seize the Dallas Open crown, his first ATP 500 triumph. The victory marked a thunderous rebirth for the Canadian, a fiery reminder of his explosive potential on the Tour. Riding that surge of confidence, Shapovalov looked poised for another deep run at the Swiss Indoors Basel. Yet fate turned sharply, and the 26-year-old was forced to withdraw mid-battle against Joao Fonseca, leaving fans stunned as a once-soaring campaign met a heartbreaking, rowdy halt.

Denis Shapovalov’s run at the 2025 Swiss Indoors in Basel ended in chaos and disbelief on Friday night. The Canadian, once in control after taking the opening set, was forced to retire midway through the third against teenage sensation Joao Fonseca. What should have been a thrilling finish turned into a storm of frustration, as the 26-year-old walked off the court to a chorus of boos and whistles echoing through the arena. The young Brazilian advanced to his first ATP 500 semifinal, while Shapovalov’s night ended under a cloud of uncertainty and noise.

From the start, cracks had begun to show. Shapovalov’s serve, once his weapon, betrayed him as the match wore on, each double fault tightening the crowd’s patience. After dropping the second set 3-6 and falling behind 1-4 in the decider, the Canadian called for the umpire. A brief exchange later, he shook hands and retired, leaving fans stunned. Whether an injury truly forced his hand remains unclear, but the optics were damning.

Sky Sports commentator Jonathan Overend captured the collective shock perfectly: “That was a surprise. I mean, yes, there were a couple of reckless shots in that game. But come on, Denis [Shapovalov], we’ve got to get to the finish line, haven’t we?” he remarked. “Allow the crowd to enjoy a bit more of the contest, which was a good one. Absolutely no indication that Shapovalov was hampered in any way.”

It wasn’t just Shapovalov’s match that unraveled on Friday; the entire tournament seemed cursed. Three of the four quarterfinals ended in retirement, an unprecedented twist in Basel’s usually electric showcase. 

Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked ninth in the ATP Race to Turin, retired after dropping his first set 6-3 to Jaume Munar due to a left knee injury. Later, Casper Ruud also pulled the plug mid-match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, citing ankle discomfort.

For Shapovalov, though, the backlash hit hardest. The boos were more than frustration; they were a reflection of a career constantly teetering between brilliance and volatility. It’s not the first time he has found himself in the storm’s eye, moments of brilliance often shadowed by flashes of temper or abrupt exits.

Denis Shapovalov clashes with the crowd at the Stockholm Open

It was supposed to be another routine night under Stockholm’s cold lights a week ago, but Denis Shapovalov’s quarterfinal clash against local favorite Elias Ymer quickly erupted into drama. After storming through the first set 6-2, the momentum shifted, and Ymer surged 2-0 in the second. That’s when the calm shattered, and Shapovalov’s frustration exploded into a fiery confrontation with the Swedish crowd.

The Canadian didn’t hold back. After being flipped off, he stormed toward the chair umpire, his voice slicing through the arena: “They are doing whatever they want.” Moments later, he pressed further, “He’s flipping me off, can I flip everyone off,” before demanding, “So then why is he left, huh?” The tension was palpable as Shapovalov wrestled with both his opponent and the hostile crowd.

Despite the chaos, his talent shone through. Dropping the second set 6-7 (3-7), Shapovalov erupted in the decider, crushing Ymer 6-1 with blistering precision. The home favorite was left powerless against the Canadian’s fire, as Shapovalov booked his place in the semifinals against Norwegian star Casper Ruud, though the showdown would ultimately end in defeat.

Off-court, Shapovalov’s voice has never shied away from controversy. Over a year ago, when news broke that Jannik Sinner avoided suspension after testing positive for Clostebol, Shapovalov reacted swiftly on X: “Can’t imagine what every other player that got banned for contaminated substances is feeling right now.”

He didn’t stop there. “Different rules for different players,” he added, a statement that resonated loudly across the tennis world, sparking outrage among Italian fans defending Sinner.

Now, with the controversy still fresh, Shapovalov faces Joao Fonseca again at the Paris Masters. The match promises more than just tennis; it’s a chance for the Canadian to channel his fire, reclaim his composure, and flip the script on both court and crowd.

In a sport that often demands poise under pressure, Shapovalov continues to prove he’s a player who thrives in chaos, his talent as fierce as his temper, and his story far from predictable.