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The Davis Cup Finals formally get underway this week in Malaga, Spain, and, for the second time since 2019, Staff Canada offered by Sobeys is among the many ultimate eight international locations within the race for the title of world champions. Final September in Valencia, our nationwide squad led by captain Frank Dancevic ranked second in its round-robin group and punched its ticket for the Knockout Stage. Now, on Thursday November 24 at 10 a.m. ET, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Vasek Pospisil, Alexis Galarneau and Gabriel Diallo will battle Germany within the quarter-finals.
When requested about Canada’s return to the quarters of the distinguished event, Frank Dancevic was very clear in regards to the crew’s intentions this week: to win the title. Interval.
“In 2019, we obtained to the ultimate [against Spain], and even when our crew was fairly younger, we obtained so near the win,” mentioned Dancevic. “Despite the loss, we have been capable of see how good we have been as a crew and that we may very well be a menace to the opposite nations on the court docket. Quick ahead to 2022, and our guys are actually motivated, particularly since they already obtained a style of the Remaining, they usually wish to win it. That’s our subsequent objective: to go for the title.”
It solely takes a couple of minutes with Frank to turn out to be satisfied the world tennis championship is inside attain for Canada. With 25 Davis Cup ties beneath his belt (the third most within the nation’s historical past) earlier than being appointed captain, he helped carry Canada to a whole lot of success—sufficient to imagine something is feasible. One in all his favorite reminiscences as a participant offers a hanging instance.
“As a younger child, it was all the time my dream to play Davis Cup, and I used to be tremendous keen about enjoying for Canada. Which may be why my first huge reminiscence in tennis that I really feel actually modified my profession and adjusted my path was really a Davis Cup match. In 2003, at 18 years outdated, I obtained the prospect to play in opposition to Brazil in Calgary, and it was an enormous deal! At that time, Canada hadn’t been within the World Group for over 10 years and profitable that tie would have certified us for the primary time in a decade. Again then, Grant Connell was the captain and my teammates have been Daniel Nestor, Simon Larose and Frédéric Niemeyer.
The night time earlier than the ultimate day, Grant known as me round midnight to tell me that I might play the fifth match if it got here right down to it, which occurred. In a decisive match, I ended up enjoying in opposition to Flavio Saretta, who was No.47 on the time, whereas I used to be ranked someplace between No.500 and No.600. I got here out weapons blazing, and I ended up profitable the match in 4 units to qualify us for the World Group. That was an enormous confidence increase and an enormous turning level in my profession. After that win, I went on to win Challenger tournaments, and it made me imagine in myself and imagine I used to be able to profitable matches like that.”
Nonetheless, Frank Dancevic is effectively conscious that instances have modified since then. Right now, Canada counts on Prime 20 gamers and vital depth that makes the nation a formidable opponent at worldwide competitions. He additionally is aware of that none of that may have ever been potential with out the donations and investments made by Tennis Canada through the years to offer the following technology of Canadian gamers an edge.
“Our success began years again with the investments we made with the juniors and the youthful children. All of the assist we’re giving them is simply giving a lift to the youthful technology. In fact, to place it merely, these investments had sort of a snowball impact for the ladies and the boys. Guys like Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil actually kickstarted the following technology with Denis and Félix. And now, the youngsters I’m working with on the Nationwide Tennis Centre offered by Rogers are trying as much as Denis and Félix. The final 10 to fifteen years have been nice and superior for this nation, and, if we wish to maintain this snowball rolling, we have to maintain gamers coming from technology to technology ,” Dancevic mentioned.
GIVING CANADA THE ADVANTAGE
You may assist develop the following technology of gifted gamers by making a donation to assist Tennis Canada’s applications.
Tennis Canada has simply launched its new Giving Tuesday fundraising marketing campaign, which highlights how a number of components, over time, may give Canada an edge and permit our gamers to succeed in the best ranges of the game.
As a part of the marketing campaign, our very personal 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu will double each donation pledged on November 29 earlier than midnight. Double the benefit for Canadian tennis gamers of all ranges by contributing in the present day.
Due to you, the benefit is ours. And because of you, that snowball impact received’t lose any of its momentum!
When you have any questions, please contact our fund growth crew at fundraising@tenniscanada.com.
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