In Halifax, Canada began its Davis Cup tennis match against Israel in an unusual setting on Friday. The Scotiabank Centre, which typically accommodates over 10,500 spectators, was empty except for the players, team staff, officials, and necessary personnel. The absence of the crowd highlighted the sounds of tennis shoes squeaking and teammates exchanging hand slaps, usually drowned out by background noise, during the live stream on CBC without any commentary.
Tennis Canada decided earlier in the week to hold the matches without spectators and media due to safety concerns raised by local authorities and security agencies. Meanwhile, approximately 400 demonstrators gathered near Citadel Hill National Historic site to protest Israel’s participation in the games. Organized by Em Bailey of Palestine Solidarity Halifax, the protesters demanded the cancellation of the Davis Cup matches between Team Canada and Team Israel and the suspension of Team Israel from the tournament to combat what they perceived as anti-Palestinian racism.
The protesters marched peacefully through downtown Halifax, holding placards, Palestinian flags, and banners with slogans against Israel’s involvement in the tournament. The demonstration concluded with speeches outside Halifax City Hall, with plans for additional protests the following day.
Inside the Scotiabank Centre, Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo secured a convincing victory over Israel’s Daniel Cukierman, giving Canada a 1-0 lead. Subsequently, Liam Draxl from Newmarket, Ont., extended Canada’s lead to 2-0 by defeating Orel Kimhi of Israel in his first Davis Cup singles match. The matches continue the next day, with three scheduled matches set to determine the winner advancing to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.
