Twelve-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic will join forces with Roger Federer later this year to play in the second edition of the Laver Cup.
The 31-year-old is set to play in the team tournament for the first time where he will be hoping to help secure a second consecutive title for Team Europe. The Laver Cup is a team competition where players from Europe takes on the rest of the world. Similar to that of Golf’s Ryder Cup. It was created by a partnership formed between Roger Federer’s TEAM8 management company, Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann, and Tennis Australia.
“I’m very excited about playing the Laver Cup in Chicago later this year and helping to defend the title for Team Europe,” Djokovic said.
“I love the whole concept of ‘rivals becoming teammates’ and can’t wait to join Roger Federer in Team Europe under the leadership of our inspirational captain, Bjorn Borg, one of the most accomplished players in tennis history.
“Roger and I have played so many tough matches, and he is such a great champion so it will be a unique experience being part of the same team and perhaps even playing doubles together.
“I watched the Laver Cup on TV last year and it looked amazing. All the players competed with such passion and the team spirit was extraordinary – everyone was working together, cheering for each other and even coaching from the bench during matches. I can’t wait to be part of that experience.”
Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg has hailed Djokovic’s decision to play in the event. Selecting him as the Captain’s pick. Last year, Borg guided his team to a 15-9 victory.
“Novak is one of the great champions of our game and I’m thrilled he will be joining Team Europe at the Laver Cup this year. He is a true team player and we’ve seen how much he thrives in that environment.“ He said.
The 2017 inaugural Laver Cup was hosted at the O2 Arena in Prague, the Czech Republic. Organisers said a total of 83,273 people attended the five sold-out sessions of the event. A total of nine of the world’s top 20 players at that time participated. Including Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic.
Another player set to make their debut this year will be Juan Martin del Potro. The former US Open champion was set to play last year, but withdrew from the event. Saying that he wasn’t fully fit to play.
“I have had some of the best moments of my career as part of a team so of course I’m excited to join Team World for the Laver Cup,” del Potro said.
“Although I wasn’t able to play last year, I watched the Laver Cup a lot on the TV and it was very special to see players who normally compete hard against each other and are rivals all year on the tour, join together in one team.
“This is a unique new event for world tennis and one I’m looking forward to being part of.”
This year’s Laver Cup will take place in Chicago at the United Centre. It will be held between September 21-23.
