Roger Federer has just arrived in Berlin for the 2024 edition of the Laver Cup, which should give fans emotions and twists after the small drop last year (when the event took place in Vancouver without any top players). Fans and professionals were waiting impatiently for Spanish ace Rafael Nadal, but the 22-time Grand Slam champion decided to give up this event as he was not yet at the top of his form. The decision of the Spanish legend shocked everyone, as the presence of the former world number 1 was announced well in advance and played an important role in ticket sales.
Despite the absence of Rafa, Team Europe seems to be clearly in the lead this year. The team led by Bjorn Borg will have Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and many other great players, while Team World will rely mainly on young Americans.
Since its creation operated by King Roger, the Laver Cup has enjoyed a huge prestige and was officially inserted in the ATP calendar. The 20-time Grand Slam champion played the last match of his legendary career at the Laver Cup in 2022, sharing the court with his eternal rival Nadal at the O2 Arena in London.
Another prestigious edition
According to many insiders, Swiss legend Federer is set to become the captain of Team Europe in a few years’ time. Federer is one of the creators of the Laver Cup, a team event that opposes Europe and the rest of the world. On the eve of the 2024 edition, which runs from Friday to Sunday in Berlin, Federer spoke about this edition of the event: “I think Team Europe is very strong this year. I think we are – I always talk like us, because I’m European, he said laughing, “strongly favored in the singles matches, Team World has very strong players at this time but I think most of the singles matches will go to Team Europe. In doubles, I feel that most of the matches will go to Team World”.
Federer also spoke about the future of the Laver Cup: “There was a lot of uncertainty from the start, seven years ago. Would it all go according to plan? Would you show up? Being a player and also an organizer and trying to work out a concept was really a journey. I hope players leave the Laver Cup with memories, emotions and new motivations. Over the years, seeing Rod Laver on the stands enjoying the event and people always present was wonderful.
I see that the players are always so happy to get together and live a completely different week than they have throughout the year. Thanks to Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe who will lead their respective teams for the final year. I want them to be really happy this week and not sad in any way. I’m sure it will be a great week. I will always be grateful for the trust and participation of Borg and McEnroe, said Federer, when we needed it most to start something special”.
Federer also talked about the future of the event, which will be held in San Francisco in the US in 2025 and again in a European city to be defined in 2026. ” In 2027 – added the former World No.1 – I think the tournament could cross the equator. I think we have to go to Asia and South America, we have to keep moving, not just in North America”. The success of this event will always be very much linked to the presence of the best players. It will be interesting to see how this format has evolved, having already produced some interesting results in recent years.
Players love the Laver Cup
Before the start of the event, Stefanos Tsitsipas reflected on the importance of the Laver Cup: “It brought me closer to my heroes, their personalities and how they feel in real life. I was able to admire them in a different way, on a different scale than before. And I got to meet them, talk with them in a way that I don’t usually do when I’m on tour. It brought me so many emotions and wonderful memories.”
He continued: “I wasn’t watching any tennis match there, I was witnessing their legacy. I was watching their body language, what makes them such amazing athletes and for me it was a learning experience. I was absolutely grateful to be able to share that with them. I also felt grateful for all my pre-Wire Cup journey because I felt that I had come a long way to earn a place on that team and somehow that largely reflected my journey and everything I did to earn my place.”