Davis Cup: The logical and deserved consecration of Canadian tennis

So of course, since 2019 the Davis Cup has lost its soul and is no longer "

» Davis Cup.

But it is clear that the mythical event - which has changed formula in the last three years since the takeover of Kosmos from former footballer Gérard Piqué - at least has the merit of crowning the strong nations of the moment.

Which was not necessarily the case in the Davis Cup before … In 2019, it was Nadal's Spain at home.

In 2021, the Russia of Medvedev and Rublev, and this year the Canada of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov.

The new winning country had to wait… 109 years, since its first appearance in the Davis Cup in 1913, to lift its first Silver Salad Bowl and become the sixteenth nation to win the centenary competition.

Finalists in 2019 in Madrid for the first edition of the new format of the national team competition,

the Canadians had then been dominated by Spain.

Last January in Australia, Canada had already triumphed at the ATP Cup (ephemeral competition not reinstated in the 2023 calendar).

In a united team.

To discover

• Davis Cup: Schedule and results

Ironically, the Canadians should never have unlocked the counter in the Davis Cup.

Deprived of his best elements, he was eliminated 4-0 by the Netherlands in March during qualifying.

But the Russian invasion in Ukraine changed the game and left a place.

The defending champion was dismissed and Canada was thus drafted.

But maple syrup country is not a cut-and-dried winner.

Far from there.

Denis Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime won both singles in the final against Australia.

Shapovalov, 18th in the world, logically beat Thanasi Kokkinakis (95th) 6-2, 6-4.

Auger-Aliassime (6th at ATP) offered the point of victory by beating Alex de Minaur (24th) 6-3, 6-4.

“

rejoiced FAA.

”.

Author of a perfect week in Malaga by winning his three singles matches (without losing a set) and his decisive double against Italy alongside veteran Vasek Pospisil, who participated in his twelfth Davis Cup since 2008, the Quebecer Auger-Aliassime wins a fifth title in 2022 (including his first four on the ATP circuit, in Rotterdam, Florence, Antwerp and Basel), which he finished in a cannonball with in particular a series of sixteen victories and three titles in as many weeks.

At 22, “

” thus ends his season in 6th place in the world, a season that began in 11th place and wears the colors of Canadian tennis high.

Read alsoThe spectacular boom in Canadian tennis

The little yellow ball is becoming more and more important in the country where hockey is king.

If it is not yet a major sport, it has come out of its confidentiality.

Bianca Andreescu (19), winner of the 2019 US Open and Leylah Fernandez, finalist in New York in 2021 have recently made their mark on the women's side.

Milos Raonic, ex 3rd in the world, and Eugénie Bouchard (ex 5th) were the precursors worn by Tennis-Canada, a model... 100% French exported by a former executive of the tricolor DTN, Louis Borfiga.

Passed by Insep from 1990 to 2006, where he notably trained Tsonga, Monfils and Simon, the technician bet on an adventure abroad in August 2006 in order to structure the Canadian federation.

He had his hands free and recruited coaches like Frédéric Fontang, today

now coach of Auger-Aliassime.

"

explained Borfiga to Figaro.

(opened in 2007)

it (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver)

"

Bet won, beyond expectations.

Félix Auger-Aliassime, lined up times similar to the greatest.

Passed in five months from 108th to 28th place in the world, he was slowed down in his irresistible rise by losing his first eight finals on the big circuit.

From ancient history, Shapovalov, left-handed and adept at one-handed backhand, doesn't bring the same guarantees, but on a good day, this flamboyant player can beat anyone on fast surfaces.

And if these two leaders continue to play the game in this new tasteless Davis Cup, we will still have to rely on this Canadian team for a long time.