On the eve of the Laver Cup 2024 that takes place from 20 to Sunday 22 September in Berlin, Roger Federer, one of many founders of the occasion, talked about this version, revealing how Staff Europe may be very sturdy this yr and sharing information about the way forward for the Laver Cup.
“I feel Staff Europe may be very sturdy this yr. I feel we’re – I at all times communicate like us – as a result of I’m European, sturdy favorites within the singles matches, Staff World has highly regarded gamers in the intervening time however I feel many of the singles matches will go to Staff Europe. In doubles as a substitute I really feel many of the matches will go to Staff World,” he instructed
Federer additionally talked about the way forward for the Laver Cup, saying: “There was lots of uncertainty from the start, seven years in the past. Would all the things go in keeping with plan? Would individuals present up? Being a participant and likewise an organizer and making an attempt to give you an idea has been fairly a journey. I hope the gamers go away the Laver Cup with recollections, feelings and new motivation. Over time, seeing Rod Laver within the stands having fun with the occasion and the individuals at all times there was great.
I see the gamers at all times so blissful to come back collectively and have a very totally different week than they’ve all yr. I thank Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe who will lead their respective groups for the final yr. I would like them to be actually blissful this week and never unhappy in any means. I’m positive it is going to be a implausible week. I’ll at all times be glad about the belief and participation of Borg and McEnroe, mentioned Federer, after we wanted it most to begin one thing particular,” mentioned the Swiss Maestro.
And Federer additionally talks about the way forward for the occasion that shall be held in San Francisco in america in 2025 and once more in a European metropolis to be outlined in 2026.
“In 2027 I feel the event may cross the equator. I feel we’ve to go to Asia and South America, we’ve to maintain transferring, not solely in North America,” he defined.
The Laver Cup has grow to be some of the anticipated and beloved tournaments on the tennis Tour over time. Regardless of being mainly simply an unofficial occasion, it has managed to draw the curiosity of followers as a result of yearly it is ready to convey collectively the perfect tennis gamers on the planet, who’ve the chance, at the very least for one week a yr, to share the locker room and the enjoying fields with much less rigidity and competitiveness.
One of many pillars of this event is undoubtedly Bjorn Borg, who has been a part of this challenge since day zero, placing his expertise and charisma on the service of Staff Europe. This shall be for him, in addition to for John McEnroe, the final mandate of seven, earlier than retiring and being changed by Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi.
The Swede talked to Tennis Journal about his journey on this occasion, recounting some moments which have significantly made him blissful.
“They’ve been the perfect seven years for me, the Laver Cup has at all times been a very powerful week of the yr for me. I had the chance to spend time with the perfect gamers on the planet, having fun with an ideal competitors the place everybody needed to win. It was a implausible time, so I’m very proud and blissful to have been the captain of this staff. Each John and I did an ideal job, or so I feel, and I communicate for him too. I can not think about a greater successor than my good buddy Noah for this job, he is a good champion and a greater individual,” he mentioned.
Borg then targeted on one of many strongest personalities with whom he had the pleasure of collaborating, Rafael Nadal.
“He has a beautiful character, he’s certainly one of my favourite gamers, I’ve been watching him for a few years in lots of matches, it was a pleasure to have him for a number of years in TeamEurope on this Laver Cup. I do not forget that on the time many mentioned that nobody would beat my report at Roland Garros, however for me it was at all times clear that information should be damaged, that is sport. We are going to by no means see a participant this good on clay once more,” he added.
Lastly, Borg talked about maybe essentially the most iconic second of current years, the emotional embrace between Nadal and Roger Federer on the day of the Swiss’ farewell.
“All of us knew that Roger would finish his profession, however I used to be very stunned that Rafa cried a lot subsequent to him. At that second I believed: Will Rafa play once more? Seeing him cry reveals how a lot Roger meant to him, the 2 shared implausible matches, they gave us unimaginable tennis. Rafa was unhappy to say goodbye to a buddy and rival who’s leaving the tour, and you may additionally see how Rafa was. I really feel sorry for each of them as a result of we lose an ideal rivalry, but it surely was nonetheless a phenomenal second to see, very emotional for me too,” mentioned Borg.