Denis Shapovalov has withdrawn from Canada’s upcoming Davis Cup tie in opposition to Hungary on account of a again damage, Tennis Canada mentioned Monday.
The very best-of-five first-round qualifier begins Saturday at IGA Stadium.
Shapovalov, a 25-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., mentioned he began experiencing ache throughout his first-round win over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut on the latest Australian Open.
“I awoke the subsequent day and simply felt actually sore all through my again, truly into my glutes and taking place into my groin,” Shapovalov mentioned on a convention name. “It was type of like a full line of ache. We did our greatest to handle it.”
He dropped his second-round match to Sixteenth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti in straight units. Shapovalov then stayed Down Beneath for a number of additional days of remedy.
Calgary’s Cleeve Harper was named to the Canadian roster as his substitute, becoming a member of a squad that features Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C.
The 53rd-ranked Shapovalov plans to proceed his rehabilitation this week and hopes to be able to return at an ATP Tour occasion subsequent week in Dallas.
His withdrawal left Canada with out its high two singles gamers. Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, the world No. 23, was not out there as he is specializing in the indoor hardcourt season in Europe.
“I used to be making an attempt my finest to be prepared for Davis Cup,” Shapovalov mentioned. “However sadly I simply ran out of time a bit bit … I am slowly beginning again up. The physique simply wants a bit bit extra time to rejuvenate.”
The winner of the two-day tie will advance to the second spherical of qualifiers in September. The shedding group might be relegated to the World Group 1 stage.
“We’re clearly upset that Denis can’t be a part of us this week,” Canadian captain Frank Dancevic mentioned in a press release. “He’s an exceptionally gifted participant who has all the time taken nice satisfaction in representing Canada, as proven by his many appearances through the years.
“That mentioned, we nonetheless have a robust squad that may compete with anybody. We consider in our gamers and are thrilled to welcome Cleeve, who provides depth to our group.”
Canada has misplaced within the quarterfinals the final two years.
Auger-Aliassime additionally gave up his roster spot final fall, citing restoration time and humanitarian pursuits. He helped anchor Canada to its lone Davis Cup title in 2022 and gained Olympic blended doubles bronze on the Paris Video games final summer time.
At No. 85, Diallo is now the highest-ranked Canadian singles participant on the roster. Galarneau is ranked 176th, seven positions forward of Draxl.
Pospisil, who gained a U.S. Open doubles title in 2014, spent most of final season on the lower-level Challenger circuit.
Hungary, in the meantime, has nominated two top-100 singles gamers in No. 58 Fabian Marozsan and No. 96 Marton Fucsovics. Kornel Bardoczky captains a squad that additionally consists of Mate Valkusz, Adam Jilly and Peter Fajta.
Harper, who’s ranked 128th in doubles, might be making his Davis Cup debut.
The 24-year-old primarily competes at Challenger occasions. He has claimed eight ITF doubles titles over his profession, together with a win with Draxl final weekend on the Oeiras Open 3 in Portugal.
Canada is third within the Davis Cup rankings behind Italy and Australia. Hungary, ranked No. 22, certified for the first-round tie by defeating Egypt in World Group 1 play.
Montreal additionally served as a first-round host final February when Canada defeated South Korea 3-1. Canada has gained 9 of its final 10 house ties.
Two singles matches might be performed on the two,000-seat venue’s indoor hardcourt on Saturday. A doubles match and two singles matches are scheduled for Sunday.
