Friday will see history being made in tennis with the first ever Laver Cup kicking off in Prague, the Czech Republic. A total of 12 players will participate in the team tournament, which has been compared to golf’s Ryder Cup with Europe taking on the rest of the world. The inaugural edition is headlined by the two highest ranked players on the men’s tour, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Where did the name come from?
The Laver Cup is named in honour of Rod Laver, one of the sport’s greatest players of all time. The 79-year-old is the only man to ever win a calendar grand slam twice in 1962 and 1969. In total he won 11 grand slam titles between 1959-1970.
“I’ve gotten to know Rod over the years. He’s a lovely man and he’s been incredibly supportive of our generation of players, too.” Said Federer.
“He always comes and watches us play. That’s when the idea came about to sort of pay tribute to the likes of Rod Laver and then also the present and also the future coming through. I think getting all the generations together I think is a wonderful thing.”
Federer’s Team 8 management company is one of the founders of the event. The other founding members are businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia.
What is the format?
The tournament will be similar to that of the Davis Cup with the tie taking place over three days. On each day three singles and one doubles match will take place. Each match will be the best-of-three sets, with the decider being a tiebreaker with the first player to reach ten points.
Points will vary depending on the day. One point will be awarded to match winners on Friday, two on Saturday and three on Sunday. The first team to 13 points win the tie. If the score is level at 12:12, a deciding match will take place.
Who is playing?
Each team will feature six players and an alternative. The team captains are former players John McEnroe (world) and Bjorn Borg (Europe). A total of three former grand slam champions will take part. The youngest player is 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov and the oldest is 36-year-old Federer.
Team Europe
Captain: Bjorn Borg
Players: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Tomas Berdych
Alternate: Fernando Verdasco
Team World
Captain: John McEnroe
Players: Jack Sock, Nick Kyrgios, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Denis Shapovalov, Frances Tiafoe
Alternate: Thanasi Kokkinakis
What are the players saying?
Overall the enthusiasm for the event has been largely positive with many players predicting a bright future for the event. At a press conference on Thursday, Nadal empathized that the event is not an exhibition in his opinion. Mirroring similar comments made by Federer earlier in the week.
“It’s not an exhibition. We are here to play our best and try to win. We are here to play with passion and to play for Europe.” He said.
Team world’s John Isner has spoken about the somewhat unfamiliar surface the players will be playing on. At the O2 Arena in Prague, action will take place on a black court. There has never been a competitive tournament place on a black surface in the history of tennis.
“It’s going to be interesting. Haven’t played on it yet. Haven’t even practiced on it yet. But from everything our team has heard, it’s an extremely nice court.” Isner evaluated.
“It will be a little bit different to get used to the optics of the black court, but I think after one or two days on practice, it will seem to all of us just like any other court.”
Nick Kyrgios is relishing in his opportunity to play more team events. The Australian has credited his participation in the Davis Cup for uplifting his performance on the tour. Something he also hopes to achieve with the Laver Cup.
“I love the team event. I love to get behind my teammates and do everything I can as a competitor and as a team player to get the win. I’m really looking forward to it.” He said.
What is the schedule?
There will be a day and night session on the first two days of the tie. On the Sunday proceedings will all occur in one day session.
Friday’s order of player has already been released with Marin Cilic and Frances Tiafoe set to kick the proceedings off. The anticipated pairing of Nadal and Federer in the doubles will not occur on the first day with the Swiss player set to begin playing on day two.
Day 1 order of play (Czech time)
DAY SESSION – 1PM
M.Cilic (Europe) v F.Tiafoe (World)
FOLLOWED BY
D.Thiem (Europe) v J.Isner (World)
NIGHT SESSION – 7PM
A.Zverev (Europe) v D.Shapovalov
FOLLOWED BY
T.Berdych / R.Nadal (Europe) v N.Kyrgios / J.Sock (World)
Shapovalov will be aiming to avenge his defeat to Alexander Zverev at the Rogers Cup earlier this year. The Canadian teenager recently reached the fourth round of the US Open, his best performance in a grand slam event to date.
“He’s an incredible player so it’s going to be tough,” Shapovalov explained. “But I’m excited for it.”
As for the doubles match, Nadal knows he faces a tough task. Jack sock is a former Wimbledon champion in the men’s doubles and Kyrgios has previously played alongside Sock on the tour. At the Madrid Open they reached the semifinals before withdrawing due Kyrgios’ injury.
“We will need the support against Nick and Jack,” Nadal admitted. “We hope to play well – it’ll be the first time that we’ve played together. And here we are, in the hometown of Tomas. It’s going to be exciting.”
