On Sunday, Canada celebrated its inaugural Davis Cup title, triumphing over Australia with notable victories from Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime sealed the decisive point by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4, following Shapovalov’s impressive start to the day with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis. After seven years of envisioning this moment, Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov, and their teammates realized their dream of lifting the top team trophy in tennis.
Despite facing physical challenges and receiving back treatment after a lengthy semifinal loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, Shapovalov showcased agility and precision on the court. He swiftly claimed a 4-0 lead in the first set, setting the tone for Canada’s success. Auger-Aliassime, capping off a stellar second half of the season, ensured a flawless week in Spain. His pivotal contributions had kept Canada alive in previous matches, and this time, he secured the title without the need for a decisive doubles match.
The elation was evident as Auger-Aliassime fell onto his back behind the baseline after securing the winning point, with teammates rushing from the bench to join the celebration. This victory marked a significant milestone for Canada, which had reached the Davis Cup final once before in 2019 but fell short against Spain. Now, with Auger-Aliassime ranked at No. 6, the Canadian team has become a formidable force, adding the Davis Cup crown to their earlier ATP Cup triumph in January and the junior Davis Cup title they secured in 2015.
Reflecting on the achievement, Shapovalov expressed the surreal nature of the moment, emphasizing the team’s growth and commitment to helping their country win its first title. In contrast, Australia, aiming for its 29th title and first since 2003, fell short in the face of Canada’s formidable performance.