Roger Federer has touched down in Berlin for the 2024 Laver Cup, which is set to take place at the Uber Arena later this week. Now in its seventh edition, the exhibition event will take place from September 20-22 in a contest between defending champions Team World and challengers Team Europe.
In 2024, John McEnroe will serve as the captain for Team World for the final time, with his brother Patrick McEnroe acting as the vice-captain. Next year, he is set to be replaced by eight-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Andre Agassi. Meanwhile, Bjorn Borg is the captain of Team Europe (Tomas Enqvist as vice-captain), also in his last stint in the role. In the next edition, Yannick Noah is set to replace the Swedish legend.
As for the players, Team World is represented in Berlin by Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Alejandro Tabilo. On the other hand, Team Europe includes Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
With both teams set for a blockbuster three-day campaign, Federer has arrived to see the preparations get underway in Berlin. The 20-time Grand Slam champion ran into Bjorn Borg at the stadium and exchanged a warm hug with him. He also met with John McEnroe and his brother Patrick as they traded hits, and briefly interacted with the duo.
McEnroe asked Federer if he wanted to get a few hits on the court, to which the Swiss answered that he would like to do so in a while.
“Would you like to hit some?” McEnroe asked.
“I would be happy. Ready to go,” Federer answered with a smile.
For those unaware, the Laver Cup is Federer’s brainchild, created by his management company ‘Team8.’ It is named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver and is designed to emulate the Ryder Cup in golf, where teams are split between the USA and the Rest of the World.
Laver Cup 2024: Team World looking to complete a three-peat at the Roger Federer-backed event in captain John McEnroe’s final year
Laver Cup 2022 day three – Source: Getty
Laver Cup 2022 day three – Source: Getty
This year, Team World will be looking to complete the three-peat, having won the previous two editions of the Laver Cup on the trot. Overall, Team Europe leads 4-2, as they won the first four editions in a row before Team World broke their duck in 2022, the same year Roger Federer made his final appearance on the tennis tour.
Speaking ahead of the Berlin edition, Team World vice-captain Patrick McEnroe was confident about repeating their recent success. He also regretted the end of his campaign at the tournament coming to an end alongside his brother’s but was happy about the ‘unbelievable’ ride so far.
“We’re extremely excited that we get to have our final one here, we plan on going out with a three-peat having won the last two years. There’s a little bit of sadness about this final one for us, because it’s been such an amazing run,” he said.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride for us and a privilege for us to be part of this incredible event … to be part of it with Bjorn [Borg] and Thomas Enqvist has been a great experience,” he added.