On Sunday, Canada claimed the biggest team title in tennis when they won their maiden Davis Cup Finals trophy in Malaga, Spain.
The Canadian team overcame Australia in the final, inspired by impressive displays by their top two men Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime, meaning the third doubles rubber wasn't needed.
Plaudits rained in for how solid and secure Team Canada had looked throughout finals week in Spain, but the win also marked an incredible tale of a team who were actually ELIMINATED from the competition earlier in the year.
Back in March, the Canadian team, comprising four players outside the top 100 in the rankings and without any of their top players, was knocked out of the 2022 Davis Cup in the qualifying round with a loss to the Netherlands in The Hague.
Less than two weeks later, the International Tennis Federation banned Russia from all team events, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a result, Canada qualified for the next round as a 'lucky loser', replacing Russia in the 16-team group stage in September.
On the lead up to the autumn event, US duo Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish discussed on Twitter whether or not Canada should even be allowed into the last-16, with Fish hinting their participation was turning the event into 'an exhibition.'
That followed Roddick saying: "Canada was given a wildcard into this round after losing to qualify for this stage ….. tough to consider them legitimate if they win this whole thing"
But win it they did, and it seemed everything was falling in to place for the North American nation come September, with No.1 Auger-Aliassime becoming arguably the hottest player on the planet and Shapovalov improving that often wayward backhand, as they came back into the fold to represent their nation.
Victories over Spain and South Korea took them to last week's finals.
Last rubber doubles wins over Germany and Italy took them to the final showpiece with Australia and they capped their comeback story with a 2-0 win.
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