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November 27th, 2022.
The photographs from that evening are burned into the brains of diehard Canadian tennis followers.
Félix Auger-Aliassime falling on his again after match level. Frank Dancevic main the remainder of the squad charging onto the court docket to sort out him. The trophy (on Auger-Aliassime’s head), the confetti, the champagne, the mass of crimson and white shaped by the Canadian followers within the crowd, it was the fruits of 109 years of working in direction of lastly claiming the Davis Cup title.
When Workforce Canada walks out onto the match court docket on the AO Enviornment in Manchester on Tuesday for his or her first group stage tie in opposition to Argentina, it is going to be the primary time these six males will likely be kitted up and able to play collectively since that magical evening in Malaga.
“It’s an incredible feeling having your full team. That’s big to return right into a tie having your greatest gamers,” stated Canada captain Dancevic on the crew’s pre-event press convention on Monday. “It’s the identical vitality that we’ve had. We all know this actual crew, we all know we’ve gone all the way in which to win. That provides us lots of confidence entering into.”
Canada reached the quarter-finals of their title defence in 2023, however wear-and-tear on the finish of a protracted season hampered the squad they usually have been bounced by Finland, one of the three teams standing in Canada’s way this week within the group stage.
However the Canadians are feeling good as they gear up for an additional run on the cup.
“Now we have many choices for singles, doubles, doubles groups, switching, so there’s so many choices on this crew which nice. Everyone seems to be wholesome entering into so it’s good,” defined the captain.
Canada could have waited 109 years to win their first title, however they’re effectively positioned to be a powerhouse for years to return within the competitors. After they received in 2022, 4 of the 5 members of that crew have been beneath the age of 24.
“Now we have an excellent, younger proficient crew,” stated Auger-Aliassime on the press convention. “We’ve received already which is nice. That’s completed, now we have that for all times. However we wish to get extra wins like this.”
Learn additionally: Canadian Doubles Steal the Show in Toronto
Auger-Aliassime quipped concerning the 34-year-old crew veteran Vasek Pospisil, “We preserve him younger. He’s nonetheless acquired 10 years in entrance of him. Nonetheless contemporary.”
When requested if he had shared any recommendation with the children, Pospisil stated with amusing, “None, I’ve not given them any recommendation.”
He went on to bathe them with reward, saying, “They’re so mature, even from a younger age. They’re very skilled. They’ve excellent heads on their shoulders and unimaginable expertise. It’s lucky for me on the tail finish of my profession to be part of such an incredible crew they usually’re going to be a drive to take care of for years to return.”
One of many notable adjustments for the reason that 2022 victory is the rise of Gabriel Diallo. The 22-year-old stepped up in the course of the 2023 group stage in Bologna, Italy when Auger-Aliassime was absent and Denis Shapovalov was injured and has since received a pair of ATP Challenger titles and certified for 2 Grand Slam primary attracts, not too long ago making the third round of the US Open.
“I used to be in a position to construct momentum all through the summer time and end the hard-court swing with an excellent run on the Open,” stated Diallo. “[I have a] good quantity of momentum, I really feel excellent about my sport and I’m excited for a Davis Cup run.”
Shapovalov, who was current on the 2023 group stage however was unable to play because of a knee harm stated of the performances that week of Diallo and Alexis Galarneau, who went 5-0 in Italy, “it was enjoyable to observe the fellows in Bologna final yr. It was in a means powerful as a result of I wasn’t in a position to play however I used to be sort of blissful I wasn’t taking part in as a result of each of the fellows have been taking part in unbelievable. All the guys have been.”
Regardless of not essentially being a powerhouse on paper, Auger-Aliassime is the one Canadian with a rating in double digits, the Canadians have a habit of stepping up when representing their country. Diallo, Galarneau, and Pospisil have been all exterior the High 150 once they went 8-1 in Bologna final yr.
“Each time Frank calls me to be part of the crew it’s at all times an honour to signify Canada,” stated Galarneau, who has been part of each Workforce Canada Davis Cup tie since his first nomination in March 2022. “For me, who’s on the Challenger tour, these weeks are way more stimulating, extra thrilling. It’s laborious to say no. To have the ability to signify Canada is unimaginable.”
In 2024, arguably Auger-Aliassime’s greatest efficiency was with the maple leaf on his chest when he introduced house a bronze medal from the Paris Olympics. He’s presently on a five-match profitable streak (seven if doubles are included) in Davis Cup play courting again to 2022.
Canada will play their first group stage match on Tuesday (Sep. 10) in opposition to Argentina. They’ve a shot at revenge for their 2023 quarter-final loss to Finland on Thursday (Sep. 12) earlier than ending in opposition to the hosts Nice Britain on Sunday. The highest two groups within the group advance to November’s Last 8 in Malaga, the location of Canada’s 2022 victory.
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