Team World arrives in London to defend the title without the two Americans who did the heavy lifting in San Francisco a year ago. Ben Shelton, this month’s US Open runner-up, and Tommy Paul, sidelined by an elbow injury picked up at Flushing Meadows, are both out. In their places are Brandon Nakashima and Francisco Cerúndolo. One is making his debut, the other is back for a fourth straight edition.
Shelton withdrew on 17 September without giving a reason, though he is scheduled to play Davis Cup for the United States in the Czech Republic the following week. World No. 16 Nakashima was called in as replacement for what will be his first appearance on the team.
Cerúndolo, who has won two of his three previous Laver Cups, was confirmed in Paul’s spot on 12 September. He carries a 3-1 singles record at the event into London.
“I’m really excited to be back with Team World for my fourth Laver Cup,” the Argentine said.
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“I have so many great memories from the event. It’s a unique experience getting to know your teammates and playing for each other.”
Zverev arrives with two Slams in three months
The reshuffled Team World, led by captain Andre Agassi with Pat Rafter as his deputy, still has Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Bublik and Learner Tien alongside the two call-ups. Fritz is the man who clinched last year’s cup, beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4) in San Francisco to seal a 15-9 win for Team World.
Zverev returns with a very different résumé. The German won this month’s US Open final over Shelton and Roland-Garros earlier in the year, and he is playing his first team event of the autumn with two majors already banked.
“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title, and now we’ve won two in three months,” he told the Laver Cup.
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Yannick Noah, in his second year as captain of Team Europe, lines Zverev up alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and debutant Rafael Jodar. Tim Henman is his vice-captain.
Alcaraz’s first tour match at The O2
For Alcaraz, this weekend is a first. The Spaniard, who reached the quarter-finals at the US Open in his return from a four-month layoff, has never played a professional match at The O2.
“To play at The O2 in London is going to be amazing,” he said when confirming his place last November.
“Having the chance to be in a team with players that normally I’m fighting against during the year is really unique and what makes me keep wanting to play Laver Cup every year.”
First to 13 across three days
Play begins on Friday and runs across day and night sessions on Friday and Saturday before a single session on Sunday. Each Friday match is worth one point, each Saturday match two points, and each Sunday match three, with the first team to 13 points taking the trophy. Matches are two sets with a 10-point match tiebreak if the sets are split.
The arena’s Fan Zone is open from Thursday through Sunday.
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