Denis Shapovalov has withdrawn from Canada's upcoming Davis Cup tie against Hungary due to a back injury, Tennis Canada said Monday.
The best-of-five first-round qualifier begins Saturday at IGA Stadium.
Shapovalov, a 25-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., said he started experiencing pain during his first-round win over Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut at the recent Australian Open.
"I woke up the next day and just felt really sore throughout my back, actually into my glutes and going down into my groin," Shapovalov said on a conference call. "It was kind of like a full line of pain. We did our best to manage it."
He dropped his second-round match to 16th-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. Shapovalov then stayed Down Under for a few extra days of treatment.
Calgary's Cleeve Harper was named to the Canadian roster as his replacement, joining a squad that includes Montreal's Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que., Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C.
The 53rd-ranked Shapovalov plans to continue his rehabilitation this week and hopes to be ready to return at an ATP Tour event next week in Dallas.
His withdrawal left Canada without its top two singles players. Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime, the world No. 23, was not available as he's focusing on the indoor hardcourt season in Europe.
"I was trying my best to be ready for Davis Cup," Shapovalov said. "But unfortunately I just ran out of time a little bit ... I'm slowly starting back up. The body just needs a little bit more time to rejuvenate."
The winner of the two-day tie will advance to the second round of qualifiers in September. The losing team will be relegated to the World Group 1 level.
“We’re obviously disappointed that Denis can’t join us this week,” Canadian captain Frank Dancevic said in a statement. “He’s an exceptionally talented player who has always taken great pride in representing Canada, as shown by his many appearances over the years.
"That said, we still have a strong squad that can compete with anyone. We believe in our players and are thrilled to welcome Cleeve, who adds depth to our team."
Canada has lost in the quarterfinals the last two years.
Auger-Aliassime also gave up his roster spot last fall, citing recovery time and humanitarian interests. He helped anchor Canada to its lone Davis Cup title in 2022 and won Olympic mixed doubles bronze at the Paris Games last summer.
At No. 85, Diallo is now the highest-ranked Canadian singles player on the roster. Galarneau is ranked 176th, seven positions ahead of Draxl.
Pospisil, who won a U.S. Open doubles title in 2014, spent most of last season on the lower-level Challenger circuit.
Hungary, meanwhile, has nominated two top-100 singles players in No. 58 Fabian Marozsan and No. 96 Marton Fucsovics. Kornel Bardoczky captains a squad that also includes Mate Valkusz, Adam Jilly and Peter Fajta.
Harper, who's ranked 128th in doubles, will be making his Davis Cup debut.
The 24-year-old primarily competes at Challenger events. He has claimed eight ITF doubles titles over his career, including a win with Draxl last weekend at the Oeiras Open 3 in Portugal.
Canada is third in the Davis Cup rankings behind Italy and Australia. Hungary, ranked No. 22, qualified for the first-round tie by defeating Egypt in World Group 1 play.
Montreal also served as a first-round host last February when Canada defeated South Korea 3-1. Canada has won nine of its last 10 home ties.
Two singles matches will be played on the 2,000-seat venue's indoor hardcourt on Saturday. A doubles match and two singles matches are scheduled for Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2025.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press