Tennis bad boy Denis Shapovalov is once again at the center of controversy after a fiery on-court meltdown at the Madrid Open left fans and pundits questioning his place in the sport.
During a tense second-round match, Shapovalov erupted after a disputed call, slamming his racket into the court and shouting at the chair umpire in a tirade caught live on camera. The outburst, which included multiple expletives and accusations of “bias and incompetence,” earned him a code violation — but many believe the punishment wasn’t nearly enough.
“Shapovalov is becoming a liability to tennis,” tweeted one former pro. “There’s a difference between passion and pure disrespect.”
Fans are now sharply divided. While some argue his fiery temperament brings much-needed personality to a sport often accused of being too “buttoned-up,” others say his behavior is setting a dangerous precedent for young players and tarnishing the game’s reputation.
“He’s got talent, no doubt,” one fan posted on Reddit, “but you can’t keep acting like this and expect people to respect you.”
Shapovalov has had a history of emotional outbursts, including a notorious 2017 incident where he accidentally struck an umpire with a ball, leading to a hefty fine and disqualification. Though his game has matured, critics say his attitude has not.
The ATP has yet to comment on whether further disciplinary action will be taken. Meanwhile, Shapovalov posted a cryptic message on Instagram: “Passion is not a crime.”
Is Shapovalov injecting life into a fading tradition — or is he slowly tearing it apart?
