Denis Shapovalov has enjoyed a steady start to the 2026 season on the ATP Tour ahead of his appearance at the Madrid Open.
Shapovalov reached the semi-finals of the Dallas Open and he recently followed it up with a quarter-final appearance at the Munich Open.
The Canadian has beaten the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rafael Jodar, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina already in 2026.
As he looks to continue his solid season on the Madrid clay, he has now revealed who he believes is the most intense player on the ATP Tour.
Denis Shapovalov names the ATP Tour’s most intense competitor
The Tennis Channel asked Denis Shapovalov who the most surprisingly intense competitor was on the ATP Tour.
The Canadian instantly responded with Carlos Alcaraz, who he has played on the ATP Tour on two occasions.
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“I’ll have to go with Alcaraz,” he said. “I think he’s a super nice guy, a great person, but he’s also really professional, really intense once he’s on court and with everything he does.”
Alcaraz and Shapovalov’s matches came at Roland Garros in 2023 and Indian Wells in 2025, both of which were won by the Spaniard.
Shapovalov is yet to take a set off Alcaraz in his career, so it should not be surprising that he named him as an intense competitor.
Denis Shapovalov got up-close-and-personal with Carlos Alcaraz in Miami
Although they have not played for over a year, Shapovalov will have seen Alcaraz’s intensity at this year’s Miami Open.
The Spaniard opted to practise with Shapovalov at the Hard Rock Stadium ahead of his stint at the tournament.
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However, the practise session did not do either man many favours as they had a tournament to forget in Miami.
Shapovalov was knocked out in the first round in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp, while Alcaraz only lasted two rounds later.
Alcaraz was stunned by Sebastian Korda in the third round of the Miami Open to continue his difficult relationship at the Masters event.
