This weekend’s Laver Cup will be a test for organisers to see how their event fair with fans without some of the sports biggest names gracing their presence.
Since its debut back in 2017, the team competition has grown rapidly on the men’s Tour and even has a slot in the ATP calendar after being given special status two years ago. The competition is inspired by Golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup event with players from Europe taking on those from the rest of the world. Named after tennis great Rod Laver, players battle it out over three days with the first team to 13 points being declared the winner.
This year’s edition is taking place at the TD Garden in Boston 12 months later than originally planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time since its birth, no member of the Big Three will be present. Roger Federer, who helped create the event, and Rafael Nadal are sidelined with injury. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has opted not to participate.
“Obviously we’re missing the top three guys, but our team (Europe) is one of the strongest I think we’ve ever had,” four-time Laver Cup participant Alexander Zverev assures. “We have all the young gun generation guys, which is great to see. Everybody is very motivated. It’s going to be a fun, entertaining week for all of us.”
The absence of the trio ironically provides an opportunity for the Laver Cup which will still feature 10 out of the world’s top 20 players in the competition. The Organisers are keen to showcase that there is much more to the men’s game than just three players if they want their event to last for years to come. Recently Discovery Sports locked in a 10-year deal to broadcast the Laver Cup exclusively until 2030.
In Team Europe a quartet of players will be making their debut with one of those being recently crowned US Open champion Daniil Medvedev. The world No.2 says he has sought advice from one of his teammates ahead of the competition.
“I asked Sascha (Zverev) when we practiced, how was it (the Laver Cup) in Chicago because that’s when we (Team Europe) were kind of the guests. He told me everybody is gonna be against us,” Medvedev told reporters on Thursday.
“I think the toughest is when you’re not ready and everybody is against you, that’s when you’re gonna have problems. So we are all ready for it.”
Whilst there are no ranking points up for grabs, there is big money to be made. Those who win the Laver Cup this year are reportedly set to earn $250,000 each. Meanwhile, the runner-ups will receive half of that.
Although money isn’t everything for those taking part. Some are relishing the experience of being able to play alongside their peers instead of against them. Federer recently said he hopes the Laver Cup provides an opportunity for the younger players to learn from those who are more experienced.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere here. We are all making fun of each other. We spend a great time together. We are practicing well, preparing well, and we will see what’s gonna happen,” Laver Cup debutante Andrey Rublev said.
“Many guys said that they are the best players. All of them know how to play tennis, what is inside, how we feel, how each player is going to feel. All of us can give advice, if someone sees something from outside the court.” He added.
Norway’s Casper Ruud is another newcomer who says he has benefitted from listening to what his fellow peers have said about the event. Earlier this year Ruud won three consecutive ATP titles on the clay within as many weeks. Since then he has reached the quarter-finals of two Masters events but lost in the second round of the US Open. He will play in the first match of the Laver Cup on Friday against Reiley Opelka.
“I’m really excited. It will be fun to kind of get the show going. I’m sure I will feel some nerves, in the 24 hours when I’m about to step on court,” Ruud admits.
“I have great teammates. They shared their knowledge in our team dinner about how it was, and we have a good plan, I think. Hopefully I can get Team Europe off to a good start.”
On the first day of the competition, three newcomers will be playing for Europe. Besides Rublev and Ruud, Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini will also take to the court against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian is one of two players in Team World who is playing in the event for the first time along with Opelka.
“We have Sascha and Stefanos (Tsitsipas) who have been here before. They have helped to explain and to share their knowledge about how this event is all about,” vice-captain of Team Europe, Thomas Enqvist, commented.
“The guys have been unbelievable how quickly they come together and how hard they have been working to preparing for this event. I’m really looking forward to the matches.”
Team Europe head into the tie seeking their fourth consecutive trophy and are yet to lost to Team World.
Day 1 order of play
1pm (local time)
Reilly Opelka (World) vs. Casper Ruud (Europe)
Felix Auger-Aliassime (W) vs. Matteo Berrettini (E)
7pm
Diego Schwartzman (W) vs. Andrey Rublev (E)
John Isner/ Denis Shapovalov (W) vs. Matteo Berrettini/Alexander Zverev (E)
*All matches count 1 point
