Canada vs. Israel in the Davis Cup Will Be Played Behind Closed Doors for Security Reasons
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The Davis Cup World Group tie between Canada and Israel will be held indoors and without spectators this weekend. The decision, announced Tuesday by Tennis Canada, is due to security concerns. The organization explained that the determination was made in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation, motivated by “growing security concerns” indicated by local authorities and national security agencies. This measure comes after more than 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urged Tennis Canada to cancel the match due to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.Gavin Ziv, Tennis Canada’s chief executive officer, called the result “very disappointing,” but emphasized that the safety of athletes, fans, and staff is the top priority. The match, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, was originally going to be played at the Scotiabank Centre. Tennis Canada informed that fans who purchased tickets will receive a full refund within 30 days. A Tennis Canada spokesperson indicated that approximately 1,500 tickets per day will be refunded. The non-profit organization is assessing the financial impact of this decision, although they anticipate a significant loss of revenue. Additionally, access to the media will not be allowed on the premises, and all interviews with the players will be conducted virtually. Halifax Regional Police did not specify whether threats were received targeting the Israeli team, but confirmed the presence of officers at the event. The Center for Israeli and Jewish Affairs expressed its disappointment at the decision to play without an audience.At the heart of this difficult decision is our responsibility to protect people, while ensuring that this Davis Cup tie can still take place.
Gavin Ziv, CEO of Tennis Canada
