Canada’s Denis Shapovalov returns the ball to Croatia’s Viktor Galovic during a Davis Cup singles match in Osijek, Croatia, on Feb. 2, 2018.STR/AFP / Getty Images
The Davis Cup is returning to Toronto for the first time since 2010.
Tennis Canada announced Tuesday that the World Group playoff tie between Canada and the Netherlands will be held at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto from Sept. 14-16.
The winner of the tie will earn a spot in the elite World Group in 2019, while the loser is relegated to Zonal Group 1. Canada has been in the 16-team World Group since 2012.
The Netherlands-Canada tie will take place on an indoor hard court, with seating for 6,500 fans at the home of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. Toronto last hosted a Davis Cup tie in September 2010 when Canada defeated the Dominican Republic in Zonal play at the Aviva Centre.
“The team is looking forward to playing in Toronto for the first time in a while and we know that the city will live up to its reputation in terms of excellent facilities, fan support and hospitality,” Canadian Davis Cup captain Frank Dancevic said in a statement.
“Many players come from in and around the Toronto area and this will be a unique opportunity to play a Davis Cup tie at home in front of their families and friends. I have a lot of confidence in our team. We are getting more and more depth and we know that we can accomplish great things together.”
Canada’s top two players – Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic – were raised just north of Toronto in Richmond Hill and Thornhill, respectively.