Now that the US Open Grand Slam has concluded, players from around the world are preparing to represent their countries in the Davis Cup.
Team Israel is heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to compete against Team Canada from September 12-14 in World Group I. The competition will take place indoors on hard courts at the Scotiabank Centre.
Israel’s team includes Orel Kimhi, Daniel Cukierman, Ofek Shimanov, Jordan Hasson, and Roy Stepanov, with Jonathan Erlich serving as team captain. Veterans Yishai Oliel (recovering from wrist surgery) and Amit Vales will be absent from this year’s squad.
Canada’s team features Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 27 in the world and a US Open semifinalist, alongside Gabriel Diallo, Liam Draxl, Alexis Galarneau, Cleeve Harper, and captain Frank Dancevic.
Avi Peretz, chairman of the Israel Tennis Association, who will accompany the team to Canada, said: As always, we’re excited to represent the country in the Davis Cup. Especially in this period, I see great importance and honor in representing Israel, waving the flag, and playing the national anthem.”
Team captain and former doubles champion Erlich added, “They are a tough and strong team. We are expecting a particularly challenging match against Team Canada, and we are excited to play in Canada.”
Erlich also emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly for Jewish and Israeli athletes traveling abroad.
“The competition is taking place at a very sensitive time. It will be challenging,” he said. At the same time, he noted, “The security situation actually gives us extra motivation to stay alert and focused, and to do everything we can to make a strong impression.”
Israeli team instructed not to speak to media during tour
The team members have been instructed not to speak with the media or share details of their travel or accommodations.
“I am so proud of them,” Erlich said, adding that he has “no doubt about what they can achieve when their heart is in the right place.”
Ties will be played as best-of-five matches, with two singles matches on day one, followed by a doubles match and the two reverse singles matches on day two. All matches are best-of-three tiebreak sets.
The winning nations from World Group I will play in the 2026 Qualifiers first round in February, beginning the next season with a chance to compete for the Davis Cup title at the end of the year. The losing nations from World Group I and the winning nations from World Group II will compete in the 2026 World Group I Play-offs in February.
Israel’s last tie took place from January 31 to February 1, 2025, in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the team lost 3–1 to Germany in the Davis Cup Qualifiers first round.
Cukierman said: “For me, it is very exciting to play the Davis Cup in Canada. They are one of the best teams in the world, so it’s a great opportunity for us to try to pull off a big upset. We are looking forward to it and preparing our best for this tie. We feel good and ready. We are flying very early and trying to adapt to the time zone there. It is exciting, and we expect great battles.”