Canada opens Davis Cup tie vs Israel in Halifax with no fans allowed due to safety concerns as protests mount over conflict in Gaza and West Bank.
High-Stakes Match in Unusual Setting
Canada’s Davis Cup tennis team begins its World Group I tie against Israel on Friday in Halifax, but fans won’t be in the stands. Security concerns prompted organizers to close the event to spectators and media, creating an empty-arena backdrop for one of the most politically charged matches Canadian tennis has hosted in years.
Why Fans Are Absent
Tennis Canada announced earlier this week that Scotiabank Centre would remain closed during the two-day event, citing “escalating safety concerns” flagged by local authorities and national security officials. Activist groups had planned demonstrations outside the venue to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, raising fears of disruption and security risks.
Players Respond to the Challenge
Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo, Canada’s top-ranked singles player at No. 35, said the absence of fans will not alter the team’s focus. “Regardless of who we have in front of us, we’re going to compete the same way,” Diallo told reporters via video conference. Team captain Frank Dancevic echoed that sentiment, noting his players had experience competing without crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Political Pressure Surrounding the Tie
Calls to cancel the event intensified in August when more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urged Tennis Canada to withdraw from the tie. Palestinian activists have also pushed for the CBC to cancel its livestream of the matches, while Jewish advocacy groups criticized the restrictions, arguing that fan closures reward disruptive protests.
Israel’s Perspective
Israel’s captain Jonathan Erlich said his team feels safe in Halifax, praising Tennis Canada’s security measures. However, he declined to comment on the broader conflict, stating, “I have a lot to say, but this is not the time or the place.”
Match Lineup and Outlook
Diallo opens the tie Friday against Daniel Cukierman, ranked No. 142, followed by Newmarket’s Liam Draxl facing Israel’s Orel Kimhi in his Davis Cup singles debut. On Saturday, Draxl and Calgary’s Cleeve Harper will team up for doubles before the reverse singles close out the series. Despite the tense atmosphere, Canada enters as the favourite, with Diallo leading the field as the highest-ranked competitor.
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