Gabriel Diallo has pulled out of Canada’s upcoming Davis Cup match against France due to a leg injury, as confirmed by Tennis Canada on Monday. The injury occurred during the National Bank Open last month in Montreal, Diallo’s hometown. Keegan Rice will replace Diallo for the second-round qualifier set to commence on Friday at Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
Expressing his disappointment, Diallo stated, “I’m of course disappointed and sad that I won’t be able to compete with the team in Quebec City. The Davis Cup means so much to me, and it’s one of the events I look forward to most each year. While I continue to rehab my leg injury, I do plan to make my way to Quebec City to cheer on the team. I hope the fans will be ready to support us as loudly as possible and help us get back to the finals.”
Canada, ranked twelfth, triumphed in the Davis Cup in 2022, while sixth-ranked France last clinched the title in 2017. The victor of the best-of-five tie will progress to the Davis Cup Final 8 in November, while the losing team will drop into the 2027 first-round qualifier.
Diallo currently holds the 125th position in the latest ATP Tour world rankings. Rice, who secured the NCAA national championship with the University of Virginia, made his ATP 1000 debut in Montreal as a qualifier.
Canada’s lineup for the Davis Cup also features fifth-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime from Montreal, 205th-ranked Liam Draxl from Newmarket, Ont., and Duncan Chan, ranked 254th in doubles, from Markham, Ont.
The match schedule includes two singles matches and one doubles match on Friday, with two more singles matches scheduled for Saturday if needed. The French team has made alterations to its roster since its release last month, with Arthur Fils, ranked 11th in the world, withdrawing. Additionally, Luca Van Assche (ranked 42nd) and Benjamin Bonzi (ranked 92nd) have been added to the lineup, joining Arthur Rinderknech (ranked 32nd), Quentin Halys (ranked 49th), and Pierre-Hugues Herbert (ranked 29th in doubles).
Canada advanced by defeating Brazil 3-2 in the first round of qualifiers in February, while France secured their spot by overcoming Slovakia with a 3-1 victory.
