The Laver Cup is the brainchild of Roger Federer and his agent Tony Godsick. The tournament is an ATP-sanctioned event and a relatively new but increasingly popular tennis tournament that was first hosted in 2017 and has grown over the past six seasons. It was named after the legendary Australian tennis player – Rod Laver, who remains the only player to win the four Gram Slam tournaments in a calendar year, and has achieved the feat twice ( in 1962 as an amateur and in 1969 as a pro).
The tournament features top players from Europe (Team Europe) participating as a team against a team of players from around the world (Team World), competing in a unique format over three days to claim the prize. The competition format is inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup, with each team comprising top players from their respective regions.
Three of the six players on each Laver Cup team qualify based on their ATP singles rankings after the French Open in June. If a qualified player declines selection, the team captain will choose another high-ranked individual. The remaining three team members, are called “captain’s picks,” and are selected by the captains before the 2024 US Open.
The Laver Cup has quickly become a fan favorite due to its intensity and the presence of top tennis legends and athletes. As we await the 2024 edition which kicks off on the 20th of September and ends on the 22nd of September 2024, here is a detailed look at the previous editions of the Laver Cup.
2017 (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Marin Čilić, Dominic Thiem, and Tomáš Berdych
- Team World: John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock, Denis Shapovalov, Sam Querrey, and Frances Tiafoe
Team Europe won the inaugural edition of the Laver Cup. The tournament was marked by a memorable match between Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios, where Federer saved a match point to clinch victory for Team Europe. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played doubles together for the first time in their historic careers.
2018 (Chicago, United States)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, and Kyle Edmund
- Team World: John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock, Kevin Anderson, Diego Schwartzman, and Frances Tiafoe
Team Europe won the tournament in 2018. Alexander Zverev secured the win for Team Europe by defeating Kevin Anderson in the final match. The doubles pairing of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic was a highlight for fans in 2018, although the pair were not victorious in the doubles game.
2019 (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Fabio Fognini
- Team World: John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock, Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov, and Milos Raonic
Team Europe won the tournament for the third successive time. Alexander Zverev once again played the hero, clinching the final match against Milos Raonic to secure victory for Team Europe. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s presence in the singles and doubles electrified the event, showcasing their enduring dominance on the court.
2020 (Not Held Due to Coronavirus Pandemic)
The global COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 Laver Cup. The decision was made in the interest of health and safety for players, staff, and fans around the globe.
2021 (Boston, United States)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini, and Casper Ruud
- Team World: Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Diego Schwartzman, John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, and Reilly Opelka
Team Europe continued their lasting dominance in the Laver Cup in 2021. They dominated the event, winning 14 out of 16 matches, showcasing the depth and strength of European tennis talent. Alexander Zverev’s continued excellence in the Laver Cup was evident as he played pivotal roles in both singles and doubles victories.
2022 (London, United Kingdom)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini
- Team World: Félix Auger-Aliassime, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman, Alex de Minaur, Jack Sock
Team World secured their first victory in the Laver Cup’s history in 2022, breaking Team Europe’s four years winning streak. Frances Tiafoe’s impressive performance in the final singles match against Stefanos Tsitsipas was crucial in clinching the first win for John McEnroe’s team. The end of the event was marked by the emotional farewell of Roger Federer, who played his final professional match in doubles alongside Rafael Nadal.
2023 (Vancouver, Canada)
- Team Europe Captain: Björn Borg
- Team World Captain: John McEnroe
- Team Europe: Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, Alejandro Davidovich, Fokina Gael, and Monfils Arthur Fils
- Team World: Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Frances Tiafoe, and Francisco Cerundolo
Team World secured a dominant 13-2 victory to defend their Laver Cup title. Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe were undefeated with a 3-0 record and clinched final victories with a 7-6(4), 7-6(5) win. Roger Federer was present at the 2023 Laver Cup to mark the first anniversary of his step back from competitive tennis. He appeared on the first day to make the draw for the last match.
Team Captains To Pass The Baton After The 2024 Tournament
Team Europe captain Björn Borg and Team World captain John McEnroe who has led for the last seven years would be moving on from the role after the tournament in Berlin.
Björn Borg would be handing over to France’s Yannick Noah as the new captain of Team Europe. He will be introduced at this year’s Laver Cup in Berlin and use this event to prepare for his upcoming role, officially starting his captaincy with the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco. Andre Agassi is set to take over from John McEnroe as the new captain of Team World following the conclusion of the 2024 Laver Cup. His first event in this role would also be in 2025 in San Francisco.
In their final year selection, Bjorn Borg’s first pick for the 2024 Laver Cup is Carlos Alcaraz, making his debut in the competition. Formal champions – Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev joined the team in February 2024. Rafael Nadal joined the team and would play in the tournament for the first time since Roger Federer’s exit in 2022. Captain John McEnroe selected Australia’s Alex de Minaur, Americans Taylor Fritz, and Tommy Paul as his first picks for Team World for the 2024 Laver Cup.
The Format of the 2024 Laver Cup
The Laver Cup is structured to be an intense and exciting three-day tournament, combining individual brilliance with team strategy. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the format:
Sessions
- Day 1 (Friday, 20 September): Consists of a day and a night session.
- Day 2 (Saturday, 21 September): Also features a day and a night session.
- Day 3 (Sunday, 22 September): Includes only a day session.
Scoring System
- Friday: Each win earns the team 1 point.
- Saturday: Each win earns the team 2 points.
- Sunday: Each win earns the team 3 points.
Each day includes four matches: three singles matches and one doubles match. The first team to reach 13 points out of the total 24 points wins the trophy. If the points are tied at 12-12 after all matches, a fifth match (the “Decider”) is played on the final day to determine the winner. This format ensures that every game is important and keeps the competition intense until the end, providing an exhilarating experience for players and fans.
The Laver Cup has quickly become a significant fixture in the tennis calendar. The presence of legendary captains Björn Borg and John McEnroe adds a historical dimension. The participation of top players from around the world ensures the matches are thrilling enough to attract other talented players and fans from across the globe. As the event grows, it remains a tribute to Rod Laver’s legacy and a celebration of tennis excellence.
GET TICKETS TO THE 2024 LAVER CUP IN BERLIN!
This year’s edition of the Laver Cup promises to be a spectacular showcase of tennis excellence, featuring top talents from around the globe. Secure your Laver Cup tickets through secondary marketplaces and be part of this thrilling event.
The Laver Cup’s unique scoring system and intense matches guarantee edge-of-your-seat action in Berlin. Will Team Europe reclaim the prize, or will Team World continue their dominance for another year? Join us and witness the drama, the passion, and the unforgettable moments at the Laver Cup 2024.