Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his debut in the Laver Cup after being named as the first player to officially sign on to play in the event next year.
The two-time Grand Slam champion will join Team Europe who will be hoping to avenge their comprehensive 13-2 loss to Team World at this year’s edition which was held over three days in Canada. Europe captain Bjorn Borg says he is ‘super excited’ to have the Spaniard join his team.
“I’m leaving no stone unturned for 2024,” Borg stated in a press release. “The goal is to win and having Carlos commit to Team Europe’s cause is a thrilling start to what I anticipate will be an exceptional roster.”
The Laver Cup was launched in 2017 with one of its co-founders being Roger Federer’s management agency TEAM8, as well as Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. It was built around a similar concept to that of golf’s Ryder Cup which sees those from Europe take on the rest of the world. In 2019 it became an official ATP-sanctioned event which means it has a place in the Tour calendar and is allowed to access marketing services provided by the governing body of men’s tennis. However, ranking points are not on offer to players.
As it currently stands, Alcaraz will be only the third Spanish player to participate in the event after Rafael Nadal and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Next year’s tournament will begin 12 days after the conclusion of the US Open in Berlin, Germany.
“I appreciate Captain Borg’s confidence in me, and I look forward to teaming up with my rivals in both singles and doubles in Berlin,” Alcaraz said. “It means a lot to represent Team Europe at Laver Cup, this is a great honour.”
“I will do whatever is asked of me to win back the Cup for Team Europe. I can’t wait to hear who will be joining me on the team next September.”
Alcaraz, who has won 12 ATP titles so far in his career, is set to end his season in Turin at the ATP Finals. In recent weeks he has been affected by problems with his lower back and foot which forced him to withdraw from the Swiss Indoors in Basel. Then at last week’s Paris Masters, he suffered a shock second round loss to Roman Safiullin.
“I didn’t feel well in the game,” he said after that match.
“Physically, in the part of movement, I have to improve a lot.”
Alcaraz is currently ranked second in the world rankings and is almost 3000 points behind leader Novak Djokovic.
