This weekend Chicago will host some of the best men’s tennis players in the world as they take part in the second edition of the Laver Cup.
Named after multiple grand slam champion Rod Laver, the event was founded by Roger Federer’s Team 8 management company, Tennis Australia and Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann. The tournament features players from Europe taking on the rest of the world. A similar concept to that of Golf’s Ryder Cup. On Wednesday, Federer told reporters that the aim of the tournament is to ‘bring all these different generations of players together so we can have a good time and learn from one another.’
The event is certainly not short of star names. 10 of the players taking part are currently ranked in the world’s top 20. One of those making their debut is reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion Novak Djokovic. The world No.3 is relishing the chance to play alongside some of his biggest rivals during the three-day competition.
“I was watching it on the TV last year and it was very exciting to see a new concept,” Said Djokovic. “Guys who have shared rivalries were playing on the same side of the court. There was great team spirit. That’s what (tennis is) missing a little bit because it’s mostly individual tournaments. I wanted to be a part of it and have this great experience.”
Two former world No.1s are the team captains. John McEnroe is in charge of team world and Bjorn Borg heads up team Europe. Both will be hoping the tie will replicate the popularity it generated last year. In 2017 an estimated 83, 273 people watched the event in Prague, Czech Republic. All five sessions at the O2 Arena sold out.
“Last year there was some unbelievable tennis played in Prague, we had a lot of fun and for me to spend a little time with these great players for a week was unbelievable,” said Borg. “It was a very close match, and this weekend I think there is going to be some great tennis and tight matches.”
A war of the team events
Currently there is a fight in the world of tennis. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has recently been approved to implement a new Davis Cup format from 2019 onwards. Where the competition finals will take place over a week with 18 teams taking part. At the same time, the ATP is pushing ahead with their idea to bring back the World Team Cup from 2020 onwards. A tournament set to take place in Australia at the start of each year with ranking points up for grabs.
“In the Laver Cup we’re a team. That’s exciting and something we’re not used to.” Said Federer. “To be on the same team as these legends – and legends in the making – and to spend a week getting to know these guys, is a wonderful way to celebrate tennis.”
Whilst the three team events all appears to be going along with their plans calmly, it is very much a different picture behind the scenes. Gerard Pique, who is a key investor of the Davis Cup, has indicated the possibility of bring the finals earlier in the year. Raising fears that it could clash with the Laver Cup in the future.
“The good part of all this confusion is that everyone will have to sit around one table and listen to the other’s desires: the ITF, the ATP, the Laver Cup. It is true that the coming weeks may be very interesting.” Federer told French-speaking reporters at the US Open.”
The Laver Cup will get underway on Friday at the United Centre. Europe are the defending champions.
List of players taking part
Team Europe
Captain: Björn Borg SWE
Vice-captain: Thomas Enqvist SWE
Roger Federer SWI
Novak Djokovic SRB
Alexander Zverev GER
Grigor Dimitrov BUL
David Goffin BEL
Kyle Edmund GER
Jérémy Chardy FRA
Team World
Captain: John McEnroe
Vice-captain: Patrick McEnroe
Kevin Anderson SA
John Isner USA
Diego Schwartzman ARG
Jack Sock USA
Nick Kyrgios AUS
Frances Tiafoe USA
Nicolás Jarry CHI
