Denis Shapovalov Praises Wife's Coaching Impact

The Canadian tennis star credits his wife Mirjam Bjorklund for helping improve his game in recent weeks.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Denis Shapovalov, a former world number 10 tennis player, has explained how his wife Mirjam Bjorklund, a former WTA player herself, has been helping to improve his game after he stopped working with his previous coach. Shapovalov says Bjorklund's tennis knowledge and communication about his game have been invaluable, calling her a "secret weapon" both on and off the court.

Why it matters

Shapovalov has struggled to consistently perform at the high level he reached in 2021, when he made the Wimbledon semifinals. Having his wife, who understands the game at a high level, provide coaching and support could be a key factor in helping Shapovalov regain his top form on the ATP Tour.

The details

Shapovalov and Bjorklund have been a couple since 2019 and got married last September. Bjorklund, a former WTA player who reached a career-high ranking of world number 123, has been working with Shapovalov on court since he parted ways with his previous coach a few weeks ago, especially during his time in Dubai where the couple lives. Shapovalov says Bjorklund's tennis knowledge and their constant communication about his game have been hugely beneficial, helping him in his recent tournament in Dallas and that he hopes it will continue to pay dividends in Dubai.

  • Shapovalov stopped working with coach Mikael Tillstrom a couple of weeks ago.
  • Shapovalov and Bjorklund have been a couple since 2019 and got married in September 2025.

The players

Denis Shapovalov

A former world number 10 tennis player who reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2021, but has struggled to consistently perform at that high level since then.

Mirjam Bjorklund

Shapovalov's wife, a former WTA player who reached a career-high ranking of world number 123 and is now helping coach her husband on the court.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, to be honest I'm a bit kind of in the transition phase. I stopped working with Mikael a couple of weeks ago and she's been helping me on court since then, especially while I've been here in Dubai. So yeah, she knows my game really, really well.”

— Denis Shapovalov (Tennis TV)

“So yeah, she was a player herself, she's got a great tennis knowledge and yeah she's...we are always communicating about my game and talking about it, so it's easy for her to step in and help me out.”

— Denis Shapovalov (Tennis TV)

“I think she's been great, I think a few things she's given me over these last couple of weeks have been great and they helped in Dallas, so they can help me here as well...Yeah definitely a secret weapon both on and off the court. She's a great wife, great person, so I'm very lucky in that.”

— Denis Shapovalov (Tennis TV)

What’s next

Shapovalov will have Bjorklund in his coaching box for his next tournament at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where he is playing Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round.

The takeaway

Shapovalov's decision to have his wife, a former professional tennis player herself, provide coaching and support could be a key factor in helping the Canadian regain his top form on the ATP Tour after a period of inconsistent results.