The Swiss Indoors Basel quarterfinals took an unexpected turn on October 24, 2025, when ninth seed Denis Shapovalov retired mid-match against rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca. The match, held at St. Jakobshalle Arena, ended in controversy, prompting fans and analysts to speculate about Shapovalov’s decision to withdraw from the ATP 500 tournament without clear justification.
The match initially showcased Shapovalov’s strengths, as he captured the first set 6-3 after overcoming an early break. Displaying his powerful serve, he logged six aces, although inconsistency plagued his game, leading to nine double faults. On the other hand, the 19-year-old Fonseca, currently ranked 46th in the world, bounced back in the second set, winning 6-3 and demonstrating impressive return game skills, including a 50% conversion rate on break point opportunities.
The decisive moment came in the third set when Fonseca broke Shapovalov’s serve twice, racing to a 4-1 lead. Shapovalov then approached the umpire and abruptly retired from the match, with the final score at 3-6, 6-3, 4-1 in favor of Fonseca. Match statistics revealed that Fonseca won 52.2% of total points, hitting 15 winners against 11 unforced errors, whereas Shapovalov had an equal number of winners but struggled with 16 unforced errors.
Shapovalov’s exit drew immediate criticism from the audience, as many booed him while leaving the court. Viewers questioned whether his retirement was due to an actual injury or mere frustration at the match’s progression. Comments on social media reflected mixed sentiments, with some suggesting that Shapovalov was simply unable to cope with the pressure of losing to a young competitor. One fan remarked that the Canadian “suddenly lost interest” in the match, while another criticized his behavior as indicative of a sore loser.
Despite the controversial ending, Fonseca’s achievement in reaching the semifinals was a notable highlight. He became the second-youngest semifinalist at the event in the 21st century, and the youngest since 2014. Fonseca is set to face Spain’s Jaume Munar in the next round, who also advanced following the withdrawal of fellow Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime due to a lower back injury. Fonseca’s performance adds to an already impressive 2025 season, marked by his first tour-level title at the Buenos Aires Argentina Open earlier this year.
This dramatic turn of events underlines the unpredictable nature of competitive sports while highlighting the perseverance and skill of younger players like Fonseca, who are making their mark in the tennis world.