On Monday, teams for the 2026 Davis Cup qualifiers were announced.
A number of high-profile players are set to compete, including Jack Draper, who has not played a competitive match since the 2025 US Open.
However, one name will not be featuring in the Davis Cup qualifying stage: world number five Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Gabriel Diallo, Liam Draxl, Alexis Galarneau, Nicolas Arsenault and Cleeve Harper are to play for Canada against Brazil, as per a news release published by Tennis Canada on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, following Canada’s 3-0 loss to Belgium at the United Cup, Auger-Aliassime explained his decision to withdraw from Davis Cup participation.
Felix Auger-Aliassime says his Davis Cup withdrawal is a scheduling decision
How would you rate Felix Auger-Aliassime’s chances of winning a Grand Slam in 2026?
During Canada’s post-match press conference in Sydney, Auger-Aliassime said: “Yeah, I don’t play. It’s [a] decision with schedules. I’ve played a lot of tennis in the last part of 2025. Obviously I have to be here, get ready for the Australian Open.
“I’m probably going to need a bit of time after the Australian Open to reset. Yeah, that’s just personal schedule decisions.
“Playing a team event has always been great for me. Had success. I’ve enjoyed it. I’m going to play in the future obviously in my career. Just a matter of time.”
Auger-Aliassime has fond memories of the Davis Cup, having led his nation to their first title in 2022.
This year the Canadian team will lean on the talent of Gabriel Diallo: the world number 40 who won his first ATP Tour title at the 2025 Libema Open.
Fortunately for the Canadian team, young star Joao Fonseca has not been named in the Brazilian squad. Brazil’s highest ranking singles player will be world number 204 Joao Lucas Reis da Silva.
Victoria Mboko shares how she feels when playing for Canada
Victoria Mboko, another of Canada’s brightest young stars, also discussed how she felt about playing for her country after her United Cup loss on Tuesday.
“Yeah, it’s always nice to have a team behind you. It’s always a different format,” Mboko said.
“That’s what I like, how you’re not really alone in a sense, that you have people that come together to watch all your matches, really cheer and support you. I really like to have that support sometimes.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
“It’s not really often you get that in tournaments. I really like these kinds of tournaments, spending time with all the people on the team. I think that’s what I enjoy the most.
“Yeah, I mean, I always like to play under the flag.”
In 2025, Canada exited the Billie Jean King Cup in the second qualifying round after losing to Japan. It was the first time in four years that the nation had not qualified for the Finals.
