Google News Frank Dancevic speaks on Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov skipping DC
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 4486
Canada Davis Cup team captain Frank Dancevic insisted he wasn't surprised that both Felix Auger-aliassime and Denis Shapovalov pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals. Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov played lots of good tennis this year as both are set to finish the year ranked inside the top-10.
Both Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov insisted they wanted to play the Davis Cup Finals but taking a break following an exhausting season was more important for both. “Overall, being a tennis player these days is not easy, there’s a lot of travelling, there’s a lot of mental exhaustion for players, and physically it’s also difficult”, Dancevic said.
“It’s understandable that some guys are more prone to being injured and exhausted this time of year. So I wasn’t totally surprised [that Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime withdrew] but I understand where they’re coming from.
They’re team players, they love playing for their country, they’ve been here all the ties in the past since I’ve been captain, and I’m sure they’ll be here in the future if they’re healthy”.
Vasek Pospisil to lead Canada in the absence of Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov
Canada made the final at the Davis Cup Finals in 2019 and that was a very special moment for veteran Pospisil. “It was an incredible week and an incredible run for our team”, Pospisil told reporters on his return to Madrid.
“For sure it’s one of the highlights of my career. To make a Davis Cup final is super special”. Dancevic added: “Vasek is for sure playing singles and doubles. And then for the other players it hasn’t been decided yet”.
Canada will be battling Sweden and Kazakhstan in the group stage. “Out of the whole tournament I would say it’s a decent draw”, admitted Dancevic. “But everybody is tough here. We’re going to try and take that momentum from 2019 and carry it on this week”.