Key takeaways:
- Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov both have withdrawn from the international competition, according to Tennis Canada.
- Diez, 30, will be playing in his second Davis Cup for Canada and his first since 2010.
Canada will be missing two of its brightest stars at the Davis Cup Finals later this month.
Tennis Canada said Sunday that Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov have both withdrawn from the international competition.
Auger-Aliassime, 21, stated that he has been battling an injury for “quite some time now” and that his doctor has told him to relax.
Shapovalov, 22, cited rest as another reason for his decision to withdraw.
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The competition will begin on November 25 and end on December 5. Canada’s first match is against Sweden in Madrid, followed by a match against Kazakhstan.
Diez is expected to compete as a replacement.
On a team that includes Vasek Pospisil of Vancouver, Brayden Schnur of Pickering, Ont., and Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont., the pair will be replaced by Toronto’s Steven Diez.
Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Pospisil were all members of the Canadian team that got to the final tie of the 2019 tournament before falling to host Spain.
“I always represent my nation with great pride; therefore, this is not a decision that I have taken lightly,” Auger-Aliassime said in a statement released by Tennis Canada. “I give the squad my full support and best wishes.”
Tommy Paul of the United States defeated Shapovalov in the final of the ATP 250 event in Stockholm.
“Representing my country is always a joy and an honour for me,” he remarked. “However, in the off-season, I require some rest.”
Auger-Aliassime has four times represented Canada in the Davis Cup. His spectacular 2021 season included a run to the semifinals of the US Open and a career-high ranking of 11th on the ATP Tour.
Meanwhile, Shapovalov has competed in his eighth Davis Cup tournament. In addition to Saturday’s final in Sweden, he also reached the finals of the Geneva Open and the Wimbledon semifinals in 2021.
Diez, 30, will be playing in his second Davis Cup for Canada and his first since 2010. In the ATP rankings, he is presently placed 259th.
“We know Felix and Denis have always placed the Davis Cup at the top of their priority list,” said Canadian captain Frank Dancevic. “However, due to the protocols and measures put in place to assist prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it’s been a long and even more arduous season, and we entirely appreciate their decision.
“We are certain that Felix and Denis will continue to support and guide us in the years ahead.”
Source: CBC news
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