Canada dealt a massive blow as Denis Shapovalov tests positive for Covid 19 - UBITENNIS

Canada dealt a massive blow as Denis Shapovalov tests positive for Covid 19

The positive test has put Shapovalov's chances of playing at the ATP Cup in doubt.

By Elias Laradi
2 Min Read
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) reacts while playing against Andy Murray (GBR) in the third round of the Gentlemen's Singles on Centre Court at The Championships 2021. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 5 Friday 02/07/2021. Credit: AELTC/Edward Whitaker

Denis Shapovalov has suffered a blow to the start of his 2022 season after testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Sydney.

The world No.14 has recently been playing at The Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi which has been linked to a series of positive cases. Emma Raducanu, Ons Jabeur and most notably Rafael Nadal all tested positive for the virus either during or shortly after their time in the country. Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya has also tested positive.

As per Covid protocols in North South Wales Shapovalov will be in isolation for at least 10 days which puts a damper on his plans to represent his Canada at the ATP Cup which begins on January 1st.

Canada nominated Felix Auger Aliassime, Brayden Schnur, Peter Polansky, and Steven Diez who will look to soldier on without the number two ranked Canadian in the world. They have been placed in a group with Germany, the USA, and Great Britain. It is a tough group for the Canadians as they look to bounce back after failing to get past the group stage last year.

Canada lost both its group ties to Germany and Serbia and finished last while Germany won the group. Milos Raonic was part of that squad but has officially pulled out of the Australian Open after a season riddled with injury.

Team Canada had a tough season internationally in 2021 as both Shapovalov and Auger Aliassime pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals after long grueling seasons. They didn’t get past the group stage after making the final back in 2019.

Shapovalov and Auger Aliassime both had breakthrough seasons and Auger Aliassime finished the year number 10 in the world while Shapovalov finished 14th.

Both players will be looking for good results down under and potentially could cause some damage at the Australian Open in Melbourne which is slated to commence on the 17th of January.

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