This week’s Davis Cup match between Canada and Israel will take place in a closed venue in Halifax without fans, as announced by Tennis Canada on Tuesday due to safety concerns.
The decision, made in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation, was influenced by “escalating safety concerns” supported by information from local and national security agencies.
According to the release, “we were compelled to determine that having the event behind closed doors was the only way to ensure the safety of all parties involved and to continue with the event itself.”
The choice to restrict attendance follows a letter signed by over 400 Canadian athletes and academics, including Olympic runner Moh Ahmed, urging Tennis Canada to cancel the event due to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The letter referenced scholars and human rights organizations labeling those actions as genocide, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting nearly 63,000 Palestinian casualties.
Tennis Canada acknowledged the “ongoing and deeply complex situation in the Middle East” in its response.
‘Very Disappointing’
In a conversation with Radio-Canada, the CEO of Tennis Canada expressed disappointment over the decision to hold the tie without spectators, emphasizing that safety was the primary concern. Gavin Ziv stated, “It’s very disappointing for the tennis community and for all fans, but ensuring a safe event was the priority.”
Safety ‘Paramount,’ Says Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation’s spokesperson echoed this sentiment, expressing shared disappointment over the closed venue while prioritizing safety. The federation noted, “The safety of all players, supporters, and tournament staff is always paramount.” The matches, which will be livestreamed, are set for Friday and Saturday at the Scotiabank Centre, with the winner moving on to the 2026 Davis Cup qualifiers.
After initially selling tickets, sales were halted by noon due to the decision, and fans who had purchased tickets will receive full refunds within 30 days. Ziv remarked that this would not be a profitable event, which poses a challenge for the non-profit organization as those funds would typically support future sport development.
Halifax Pulls Funding
The Halifax council had previously approved $50,000 in funding for the matches, viewing them as a tourism opportunity. However, a city spokesperson informed CBC News that the funding has been rescinded since the event no longer meets expected tourism or economic benefits. Mayor Andy Fillmore encouraged fans who planned to attend to cheer for Team Canada from their hotel rooms instead.
Fillmore stated he had no role in the decision to close the event, expressing confidence in the security arrangements at the venue. Meanwhile, Halifax Regional Police clarified that they were not involved in the decision and are not among the local authorities mentioned in Tennis Canada’s statements.
