Milos Raonic will replace Felix Auger-Aliassime on the Canadian team at the Davis Cup Final 8 next month.
Tennis Canada says Auger-Aliassime, of Montreal, plans to recover from the season and devote himself to his humanitarian work in Togo.
Canada will face Germany in the quarterfinals of the competition November 19-24 in Malaga, Spain. Raonic, of Thornhill, Ont., joins a roster that includes Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., Gabriel Diallo of Montreal, Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Que. and Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, BC
At No. 22, Auger-Aliassime is the highest-ranked Canadian player on the ATP Tour. Raonic, a former world No. 3, is currently ranked No. 244 after an injury-plagued season.
In a press release, Auger-Aliassime says it was a difficult decision to miss the competition, but adds that giving back to others is “tremendously important” to him and his family.
Auger-Aliassime was recognized for his philanthropic work in West Africa when he received the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award last year.
REGARD: Raonic sets ace record of 47 in London in June:
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”