Raonic still sidelined with adductor tear; Nestor unable to travel due to personal reasons; Replacements to be confirmed at later date
Guadeloupe, February 29, 2016 – Tennis Canada announced Monday that No. 1 singles player and world No. 13 Milos Raonic will be unable to compete in the upcoming Davis Cup by BNP Paribas first round tie between Canada and France due to the ongoing recovery of an adductor tear suffered at the Australian Open. In addition, world No. 12 doubles player and Davis Cup stalwart Daniel Nestor will also not travel to Guadeloupe due to a last minute family matter.
“I am deeply saddened to not be able to join my team for the Davis Cup tie in Guadeloupe,” said Raonic. “Davis Cup has always been and will continue to be a priority in my schedule. My body at this moment does not allow me to compete as the muscular tear I sustained in Australia has not completely healed. It is not easy for me, as I love representing Canada and competing alongside a great team of players and staff. I will continue to rehab and try to be back on tour as soon as possible. I wish the Davis Cup team a great and prosperous weekend. I will be watching and cheering them on.”
Raonic has not played a match since suffering the injury during the semifinals in Melbourne, where he matched his career-best result at a Grand Slam. The injury primarily affects his lateral movement, limiting his ability to push-off and run from side-to-side. He was already forced to withdraw from the two previous ATP World Tour events in Delray Beach and Acapulco. He is expected to be sidelined for another 10-12 days according to doctors.
For Nestor, this is just the second tie he has missed in the past 15 years of Davis Cup play.
“I’m disappointed that I can’t be there with the team this week,” said Nestor. “The last few years we’ve come a long way and we’ve had some good opportunities to do well at Davis Cup and it’s definitely frustrating that we haven’t been able to field our top team and maximize our potential due to some of the injuries and unforeseen circumstances that have arisen. I’m wishing the team the best of luck this weekend and will be looking forward to rejoining them for the next one.”
Team captain Martin Laurendeau will officially name the two replacement players at a later date. The players currently with the team in Guadeloupe include Philip Bester (Vancouver), Frank Dancevic (Niagara Falls, Ontario), Vasek Pospisil (Vancouver) and Adil Shamasdin (Toronto). Laurendeau has up until one hour prior to the official draw on Thursday to make his changes. The tie is scheduled to be played on outdoor clay at the Vélodrome Amédée Detraux in Guadeloupe, France from March 4-6.
“Obviously this is a huge loss for our team as Milos and Daniel are integral to our Davis Cup success,” said Laurendeau. “But I also know it’s not easy for both of them. Milos was playing maybe the best tennis of his career in Australia and is eager to get back on court. He was hoping that would be here in Guadeloupe but he’s just not going to be ready on time. And Daniel has answered the call for this team a record number of times over the past 20 years. For him to not be here, we know it’s with very good reason. The rest of the team will have to refocus now and prepare thoroughly as we all know the tough challenge that awaits us against this French squad.”
