Gabriel Diallo has pulled out of the upcoming Davis Cup match between Canada and France citing a leg injury, as confirmed by Tennis Canada on Monday. Diallo sustained the injury during the National Bank Open last month in Montreal and has been replaced by Keegan Rice for the second-round qualifier set to commence on Friday at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
Expressing his disappointment, Diallo stated, “I’m naturally saddened that I won’t be able to participate with the team in Quebec City. The Davis Cup holds significant importance for me, and it is an event I eagerly anticipate each year.” Despite undergoing leg injury rehabilitation, Diallo expressed his intention to travel to Quebec City to support the team and urged fans to show strong support to help the team reach the finals.
Canada, ranked 12th in the Davis Cup, clinched the title in 2022, while France, currently ranked 6th, last secured the championship in 2017. The victorious team in the best-of-five tie will progress to the Davis Cup Final 8 in November, while the losing side will drop to the 2027 first-round qualifier.
Diallo currently holds the 125th position in the ATP Tour world rankings. On the other hand, Rice, who previously won the NCAA national championship with the University of Virginia, made his ATP 1000 debut in Montreal as a qualifier. The Canadian lineup also features the fifth-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime from Montreal, Liam Draxl ranked at 205 from Newmarket, Ontario, and Duncan Chan ranked at 254 in doubles from Markham, Ontario.
The upcoming matches on Friday will include two singles matches and one doubles match, with the possibility of two additional singles matches on Saturday if required. The French team has made alterations to its roster since the previous announcement, with Arthur Fils, ranked 11th globally, withdrawing, and the addition of Luca Van Assche at 42nd and Benjamin Bonzi at 92nd. They join a lineup that includes Arthur Rinderknech at 32nd, Quentin Halys at 49th, and Pierre-Hugues Herbert at 29th in doubles.
Canada advanced to the second round of qualifiers by defeating Brazil 3-2 last February, while France secured their spot by overcoming Slovakia with a 3-1 victory.
