Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime pull out of Davis Cup

Team Canada will be lacking two major superstars at the upcoming Davis Cup Finals, as Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime both announced that they would not be participating at the event.

Shortly after his runner-up finish at the Stockholm Open last week, Shapovalov announced that he would be skipping the event in order to rest and recover.

"Unfortunately, I will not take part in the Davis Cup Finals,” Shapovalov said in a statement. “It’s always a pleasure and an honor for me to represent my country in the Davis Cup, but I need some rest in the offseason.”

Compatriot Auger-Aliassime also released a statement over the weekend, confirming that he too would be withdrawing from the event, citing a nagging injury.

With both players opting out of the event, Canada's chances suffered a massive blow. So far Steven Diez has been named as a replacement, and will join a team that features Vasek Pospisil, Peter Polansky and Brayden Schnur. However, Team captain Frank Dancevic addressed the situation, stating he understood why both players chose to withdraw. However, he still had high hopes for Team Canada.

"We know that Félix and Denis have always made the Davis Cup one of their top priorities since the beginning of their professional careers, and even before that since they had won the Junior Davis Cup for Canada in 2015,” said Dancevic. “But it’s been a long and even more trying season due to the protocols and measures put in place to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and we completely understand their decision.

“We know that we can count on Félix and Denis’ support and leadership in the years to come. That said, we are delighted to have Steven (Diez) join us for the Finals. Although Steven doesn’t have much Davis Cup experience, he has proven time and time again that he’s an incredible team player and that he’s able to adapt to various situations.”

The Davis Cup Finals will be held in Madrid, Innsbruck, and Turin beginning on the 25th of November. Canada will be based in Madrid in a group with Sweden and Kazakhstan. The Canadians will face face Sweden on the 25th and Kazakhstan on the 28th of November.