Milos Raonic will join Team Canada for the Davis Cup Final 8 next month, replacing Félix Auger-Aliassime, Tennis Canada confirmed on Tuesday. Led by captain Frank Dancevic, Raonic is added to a roster consisting of Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau, and Vasek Pospisil for the knockout stage, which takes place from November 19-24 in Malaga, Spain.
Following a long season on the ATP Tour, Auger-Aliassime will take the opportunity to recover and invest his time in a worthy cause close to his heart, the support of educational initiatives in Togo. A long-term commitment which he started before the COVID-19 pandemic, Auger-Aliassime was recognized for his philanthropic work in West Africa when he received the ATP’s 2023 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award.
“As a professional tennis player, I know my impact goes far beyond the court,” said Auger-Aliassime. “The season is very long and, as players, we’re forced to make difficult choices between ATP tournaments, team competitions, rest and training time as well as humanitarian work. It has always been hugely important for me and my family to give back to others and I’m very proud of the support we have provided to educational initiatives in my father’s home country, Togo.
“I plan on continuing that work this November and so, unfortunately, I have made the tough decision to miss the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga. I know Frank [Dancevic] and the team have what it takes to come back from Malaga with a second Davis Cup title – and I’ll be their biggest supporter while they’re in Spain. It means the world to me to wear the Maple Leaf for Team Canada, and I hope to do that many, many times in the future.”
“Representing his country has always been a priority for Félix,” said Dancevic. “That has been demonstrated time and again over the years, including with his crucial role in winning our 2022 Davis Cup title and Canada’s first Olympic medal in tennis in over two decades this summer. We will miss him in Malaga, but his decision has the full support and respect of his teammates and me. We look forward to him representing Team Canada again very soon.
“In the meantime, we are excited to welcome Milos to an already extremely strong group heading to Spain. Milos has always played great tennis when representing our country, and he will no doubt help us in our bid for title number two.”
Ranked as high as world No. 3, Raonic has been sidelined for most of the season due to injury and is currently ranked 244th in the world. Despite playing little tennis, he has been in great form when on the court, with three wins over Top 50 players this year.
Raonic will be representing Canada at the Davis Cup for the 16th time and holds an impressive record of 19 wins and six losses. His previous Davis Cup appearance came in last year’s Final 8 stage, when he beat Finland’s Patrick Kaukovalta 6-3, 7-5.
“It’s always an honour for me to represent Canada on the international stage, and I can’t wait to join the guys in Malaga for this year’s Davis Cup Finals,” said Raonic. “In 2022, I watched Canada win the Davis Cup from the comfort of my home, and I couldn’t have been prouder of the team and our country. I’d love nothing more than to be on the court for the next time we raise that trophy.”
Tickets for the upcoming Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga are available here. For more information about the competition, including the match schedule, please click here.
