Raonic to replace Auger-Aliassime on Team Canada for Davis Cup Final 8

Felix Auger-Aliassime has given up his spot on the Canadian group on the Davis Cup Remaining 8 to be able to recuperate from the season and give attention to supporting academic initiatives in Togo.

He’ll get replaced by Milos Raonic on the Nov. 19-24 competitors in Malaga, Spain, Tennis Canada mentioned Tuesday.

“As an expert tennis participant, I do know my impression goes far past the courtroom,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned in a launch. “The season may be very lengthy and as gamers we’re pressured to make tough selections between ATP tournaments, group competitions, relaxation and coaching time in addition to humanitarian work. 

“It has at all times been massively necessary for me and my household to present again to others and I’m very happy with the help now we have supplied to academic initiatives in my father’s residence nation (of) Togo. I plan on persevering with that work this November and so, sadly, I’ve made the powerful determination to overlook the Davis Cup Remaining 8 in Malaga.”

At No. 22, Auger-Aliassime is the top-ranked Canadian participant on the ATP Tour. Raonic, a former world No. 3, is at the moment ranked 244th after an injury-plagued season.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., joins a roster that features Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C. Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., serves as captain.

Canada, which gained its lone Davis Cup title in 2022, will play Germany within the quarterfinals on Nov. 20.

“I do know Frank and the group have what it takes to come back again from Malaga with a second Davis Cup title – and I’ll be their greatest supporter whereas they’re in Spain,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “It means the world to me to put on the Maple Leaf for group Canada, and I hope to do this many, many instances sooner or later.”

Auger-Aliassime, from Montreal, was acknowledged for his philanthropic work in West Africa when he obtained the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award final yr.

“Representing his nation has at all times been a precedence for Felix,” mentioned Dancevic. “That has been demonstrated repeatedly over time, together with together with his essential function in profitable our 2022 Davis Cup title and Canada’s first Olympic medal in tennis in over 20 years this summer time. 

“We’ll miss him in Malaga, however his determination has the complete help and respect of his teammates and me. We sit up for him representing Staff Canada once more very quickly.”

Raonic, in the meantime, will probably be representing Canada for the sixteenth time in Davis Cup play. 

“It is at all times an honour for me to characterize Canada on the worldwide stage, and I can not wait to affix the blokes in Malaga for this yr’s Davis Cup Finals,” mentioned Raonic. “In 2022, I watched Canada win the Davis Cup from the consolation of my residence, and I could not have been prouder of the group and our nation. 

“I might love nothing greater than to be on the courtroom for the following time we increase 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 yr.

“We’re excited to welcome Milos to an already extraordinarily sturdy group heading to Spain,” Dancevic mentioned. “Milos has at all times performed nice tennis when representing our nation, and he’ll little question assist us in our bid for title quantity two.”