The Nitto ATP Finals came to an end on Sunday, but the 2023 tennis season is not over. Not yet.
Up next on the schedule is the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, where the knockout stage begins with the quarterfinals. Eight teams battled their way through the group stage earlier this fall an will now take their talents to the indoor hard courts of Martin Carpena Arena. Either Canada, Finland, Australia, the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, or Great Britain will lift the trophy on Sunday.
Defending champion Canada kicks off the action Tuesday against Finland. The Canadians made a surprise run to last year’s title and a back-to-back triumph would be another unexpected development given that Denis Shapovalov is sidelined by an injury. Still, team leader Felix Auger-Aliassime does not lack confidence.
“Whenever we come together as a team, we always have a belief that we can win,” Auger-Aliassime assured. “Everybody has belief in their teammates–that they’re able to win any given match. It’s a separate tournament than the rest of the tour. There is an energy. That’s why you always see surprises in Davis Cup.”
Wednesday’s tie pits Australia against the Czech Republic before the quarterfinals conclude on Thursday with Italy vs. the Netherlands and Serbia vs. Great Britain.
There will be no Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray showdown in the latter matchup, however. Murray recently pulled out due to a shoulder issue, replaced by British left-hander Liam Broady. The Brits are also without Dan Evans, who sustained a calf injury in Vienna.
DC always tough to call due to player uncertainty