Felix Auger-Aliassime has resigned from Canada’s Davis Cup Last 8 workforce to recuperate this season and deal with supporting teaching programs in Togo.
He will likely be changed by Milos Raonic on the 19-24 event in Malaga, Spain, Tennis Canada mentioned Tuesday.
“As knowledgeable tennis participant, I do know my impression goes past the courtroom,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned in a press release. “The season may be very lengthy and as gamers we’re pressured to make troublesome choices between ATP tournaments, workforce tournaments, day off and coaching in addition to humanitarian work.
“It has at all times been crucial to me and my household to offer again to others and I’m happy with the help we have now given to instructional applications in my father’s nation (in) Togo. I plan to proceed working this November, so, sadly, I’ve made the troublesome determination to overlook the Davis Cup Last 8 in Malaga.”
In No. 22, Auger-Aliassime is the top-ranked Canadian participant on the ATP Tour. Raonic, the previous world No. 3, is at present ranked 244th after an injury-plagued season.
Raonic, of Thornhill, Ont., joins a roster that features Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., Gabriel Diallo of Montreal, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., and and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, BC Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., serves as captain.
Canada, which gained its solely Davis Cup title in 2022, will play Germany within the quarterfinals on November 20.
“I do know that Frank and the workforce have what it takes to return to Malaga with a second Davis Cup title – and I will likely be their largest supporter when they’re in Spain,” mentioned Auger-Aliassime. “It means the world to me to put on the Maple Leaf for Group Canada, and I hope to do it many extra instances sooner or later.”
Auger-Aliassime, from Montreal, was acknowledged for her humanitarian work in West Africa when she acquired the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award final 12 months.
“Representing his nation has at all times been a precedence for Felix,” mentioned Dancevic. “That has been proven many instances through the years, together with his key position in our 2022 Davis Cup title and Canada’s first Olympic medal in tennis in additional than twenty years this summer time.
“We are going to miss him in Malaga, however his determination is absolutely supported and revered by the workforce gamers and myself. We look ahead to him representing Group Canada once more within the close to future.”
However, Raonic will likely be representing Canada for the sixteenth time within the Davis Cup.
“It is at all times an honor for me to characterize Canada on the world stage, and I am unable to wait to hitch the boys from Malaga within the Davis Cup closing,” mentioned Raonic. “In 2022, I noticed Canada win the Davis Cup from residence, and I could not be prouder of our workforce and nation.
“I might love nothing greater than to be on the sector the subsequent time we carry that trophy.”
Raonic has a 19-6 profession file within the event, together with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Patrick Kaukovalta in Canada’s quarterfinal loss to Finland final 12 months.
“We’re glad to welcome Milos to the workforce that’s already extraordinarily sturdy going to Spain,” mentioned Dancevic. “Milos has at all times performed good tennis when he represents our nation, and there’s no doubt that he’ll assist us in our marketing campaign to take the second title.”
