In the wide world of sports, this week also happens to be about a tennis cup, albeit far less controversial than what’s going on in Qatar right now. So, let’s turn to Malaga, Spain, where Canada is a serious contender.
But first, some history.
As far as team competitions between nations go, Davis Cup, which, incidentally, is named after its Harvard student founder, actually predates the FIFA World Cup by 30 years.
The tennis tournament started out as a Great Britain vs. US rivalry and opened up to other countries four years later. Davis Cup was first played on August 7, 1900. In soccer, the first World Cup kick-off was on July 13, 1930.
Now you know!
A-team in action
This week, Davis Cup captain Frank Dancevic will be counting on Canada’s A-team, with World No.6 Félix Auger-Aliassime and No.18 Denis Shapovalov on the roster together for the first time since 2019.
That bodes well, since it was in 2019 that the young squad surprised everyone with a final berth before falling to Spain led by Rafael Nadal.
Doubles debate
Unless his singles match is a slog or he’s been hiding an injury, Félix should get the green light from Dancevic to pair up with Vasek Pospisil in the doubles duel.
With Alexander Zverev on the sidelines, it should be smooth sailing for Canada in the quarter-finals against Germany, which has No.67 Oscar Otte in the lead role.
The winner will face Italy or the US in the next round.
In the other quarters, Australia takes on the Netherlands, and Croatia battles Spain minus Rafa and minus Carlos.
The other Team Canada
Canada has not one but two teams in Spain this week.
In addition to the players are some very enthusiastic Tennis Canada staff members.
You know, the drums, the giant bobbing FAA and Shapo heads, the GO CANADA cheers…that’s them.
“There are about 60 people from the Montréal (65%) and Toronto offices. A lot of them aren’t travelling alone, so the total quickly rises to about 100 people,” said Richard Quirion, director of professional and international tournaments in Québec and makeshift TC travel agent.
“There are about 60 people from the Montréal (65%) and Toronto offices. A lot of them aren’t travelling alone, so the total quickly rises to about 100 people,” said Richard Quirion, director of professional and international tournaments in Québec and makeshift TC travel agent.
On TV
Kosmos Group has entered into a 25-year, $3B partnership with the ITF for the Davis Cup broadcasting rights.
In Canada, Sportsnet is the official English-language broadcaster. For French, head over to TVA Sports.
Drummondville recap
There’s no doubt that the National Bank Challenger Series, which wrapped up in Drummondville last week, was a huge success.
The last Challenger was a dream, with crowd-favourite Vasek Pospisil taking the top honours and a string of sold-out matches—something that really wasn’t a given after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.
Overheard in Drummond:
- The nearly three-hour marathon final in which Pospisil overpowered Michael Mmoh of the US (7-6, 4-6, 6-4) meant that the Canadian had to hustle to catch his flight and join the rest of Team Canada in Spain.
- Vasek has a fantastic time. He’s back in the Top 100, and that guarantees him a spot in the main draw of the 2023 AO.
- Alexis Galarneau, who’s also in Malaga with Gabriel Diallo, climbed to a career high ranking of No. 204.
Finally, congratulations to the triumvirate made up of Alain Caillé, Dominic Joly and Stephan Hamel. Their tournament was such a hit that they’re now faced with the challenge of finding a way to expand centre court at Tennis intérieur René-Verrier.
They’ll figure it out.
Enjoy the Davis Cup!
