This weekend, the highly anticipated Davis Cup World Group I clash between Canada and Israel will unfold in a closed venue in Halifax, as announced by Tennis Canada on Tuesday, amidst growing safety concerns.
In a statement, the organization explained that this pivotal decision was reached after consultations with the International Tennis Federation, prompted by “increasing safety apprehensions” raised by local authorities and national security agencies.
This development follows a powerful appeal from over 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, advocating for the cancellation of the match in light of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Tennis Canada’s CEO, Gavin Ziv, expressed his disappointment regarding the outcome but emphasized that the well-being of athletes, fans, and staff remains the utmost priority.
“The essence of this challenging decision lies in our commitment to protecting individuals while ensuring the Davis Cup tie proceeds,” Ziv stated. “We have come to the conclusion that hosting the event behind closed doors is the sole method to ensure the safety of all involved while preserving the match.”
Set to take place on Friday and Saturday, the tie was originally slated for the Scotiabank Centre. Tennis Canada assures that all ticket holders will receive a complete refund within 30 days.
The victor will secure a spot in the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
Tennis Canada’s announcement coincides with a request from the Montreal-based human rights group Palestinian and Jewish Unity, urging Mayor Valérie Plante to prevent the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team from participating in Sunday’s Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal.
