Ticket sales for the Davis Cup in Halifax are down compared to when the event brought in big crowds two years ago, and that could be because Canada will be competing without their top player.
Milos Raonic is currently nursing a left leg injury. Team Canada's captain Martin Laurendeau says his absence leaves an opportunity for younger players to step up.
“We've got great youth and an up-and-coming player and some veterans, so it's a great mix to have as a captain,” said Laurendeau. “It pulls them together too, so not heavily rely on a top five player in the world and then we've got to get the job done.”
The weekend has big implications for team Canada, who must win to stay in the world group. A loss would drop them down a division, where they haven't played since 2011.
“There's greater motivation because we want to win,” said Laurendeau. “Our focus is using the crowd to our advantage.”
That's one of the reasons the team wanted to return to Halifax, after defeating Colombia 3-2 in 2014.
“They loved the people, the friendliness of everyone around,” said tournament director Gavin Ziv. “The hospitality, but also a beautiful city that had fantastic restaurants, great seafood, the hotel experience, being close to the venue – everything about it was just kind of perfect for them.”
During this same event in 2014, over 4,000 people packed into the then Metro Centre every day. This year that number is down to just a couple of thousand.
“We're hoping now that with us being here and people now know that we're happening this weekend that people will still come back,” said Ziv.
Ranoic's injury was disappointing for fans, but people with tickets are still looking forward to all the action.
“I'm pretty excited to see some tennis. I've never seen professional tennis before so it's going to fun,” said attendee Brett Berry.
Chile won't be taking the matches lightly.
“It's important that Milos is not here because he is (a) good player,” said Chile captain Nicolas Massu. “But the team from Canada is so tough.”
The action will begin Friday night.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Matt Woodman.
