The National Bank Open, formerly Rogers Cup

Brisebois: Canada’s A-team out in force at Davis Cup

October 29, 2021

There’s some good news ahead of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals, which are set to get underway very soon—from November 25 to December 4—in Madrid.  

Félix Auger-Aliassime will be there. So will Denis Shapovalov, along with Vasek Pospisil in doubles, Brayden Schnur and Peter Polansky. That means the Canadian Davis Cup team presented by Sobeys will be bringing its A-team.  

Having your best players in the mix at international competitions is never given. Don’t forget that only Félix showed up to the Tokyo Games last summer.   

We should definitely be happy about this collective undertaking.  

Where’s Milos? The World No.47, who’s been struggling with a calf injury, has competed in only one match since July. But with the two young guns in action, his services aren’t essential.  

NO.6, BUT BETTER  

Proof that time flies: Félix will be playing in his fourth Davis Cup, and Denis will be at his eighth!  

There’s no doubt that Canada is headed in the right direction. Led by captain Frank Dancevic, the squad that caught everyone off guard in the 2019 final against Spain is certainly looking a lot better than the no.6 ranking it was awarded by the ITF. 

Because Félix and Denis are No.12 and No.13, respectively, Canada is actually third, after Russia (with No.2 Daniil Medvedev and No.6 Andrey Rublev) and Italy (with No.7 Matteo Berrettini and No.11 Jannik Sinner). 

Serbia (with No.1 Novak Djokovic) will be there. And Spain, too (without No.5 Rafael Nadal).  

EASY TIE? 

In the opening round, there are 18 teams in six divisions. Canada is in Group B, along with Kazakhstan (No.34 Alexander Bublik and No.150 Mikhail Kukushkin) and Sweden (Mikael and Elias Ymer nos. 101 and 168). 

Let’s hope our A-team can stay A-OK and injury free!  

CANADA AMONG THE ELITE  

November is all about team tennis and kicks off with Billie Jean King Cup in Prague, from the 1st to the 6th.  

The Cup formerly known as Fed gives Canada the opportunity to prove to the world that we’re good at other sports besides hockey. 

The fact that Canada is now among the top 8 nations to qualify for BJK Cup and Davis Cup is a pretty fantastic tribute to our game and all the efforts invested.  

In case you’re keeping score, there are 210 national federations.  

Unfortunately, No.21 Bianca Andreescu and No.27 Leylah Fernandez won’t be competing.

Billie Jean King Cup Canadian team in Prague during practice
Photo : Martin Sidorjak/Tennis Canada

In Prague, Canada is in Group A with France, the reigning BJK Cup champions, and the Russian Tennis Federation. It won’t be easy for No.147 Rebecca Marino, No.330 Carol Zhao, No.399 Françoise Abanda, doubles No.5 Gabriela Dabrowski and captain Sylvain Bruneau.   

Still, the best is yet to come. With its greatest champions between 19 to 22 years old, Canada is a serious contender to double down and win both international team crowns in the very near future.

Tags
STAY UP TO DATE
ON OUR LATEST NEWS