Sports
Davis Cup tie between Canada and Israel in Halifax closed to fans
By Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri, CBC News, RCI
In its response, Tennis Canada said it acknowledges the ongoing and deeply complex situation in the Middle East.
(File Photo: Ben Hershey/Unsplash)
Event will go ahead in a closed venue due to ‘escalating safety concerns,’ says Tennis Canada.
The Davis Cup matchup between Canada and Israel will be held in a closed venue without spectators this week in Halifax due to safety concerns, Tennis Canada announced Tuesday.
The organization said in a news release the decision was made in consultation with the International Tennis Federation due to escalating safety concerns
and intelligence received from local authorities and national security agencies.
We were forced to conclude that playing behind closed doors was the only way to both safeguard those involved and preserve the event itself,
the release read.
While this outcome is very disappointing, it allows the tie to proceed in Halifax and ensures that our athletes can continue to compete at the highest international level.
The decision to close the Davis Cup World Group I tie to fans comes after more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urged Tennis Canada in a letter to cancel the event over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The letter cited scholars and human rights groups who have described those actions as genocide against the Palestinian people. Nearly 63,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, according to Palestinian health officials.
In its response, Tennis Canada said it acknowledges the ongoing and deeply complex situation in the Middle East.
No one from the organization was immediately available for an interview Tuesday.
Safety ‘paramount,’ says tennis federation
A spokesperson for the International Tennis Federation, the sport’s global governing body, said it shared Tennis Canada’s disappointment over closing the venue but emphasized safety as the priority.
The safety of all players, supporters and tournament staff is always paramount, and Tennis Canada considered a range of detailed security advice before coming to this decision,
the federation said in a statement.
The tie, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, was initially to be played at Scotiabank Centre.
The matches will be livestreamed.
Tickets were still available through Ticketmaster on Tuesday morning but sales were shut down by noon local time. Tennis Canada said fans who purchased tickets will receive a full refund.
The winner of the tie will advance to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
This article is republished from RCI.
