Revealed on 22 Sep 2022 2:00 pm (UK Time)
21-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic and not too long ago retired tennis veteran Roger Federer have arrived in London forward of the fifth instalment of the Laver Cup which begins later this week.
Roger Federer was noticed touching down at London Metropolis Airport in his non-public jet on Sunday whereas his long-time rival and Group Europe ally Novak Djokovic arrived on Tuesday afternoon. Different large names in tennis who had been noticed embrace Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime. This yr’s Indian Wells Masters 1000 champion Taylor Fritz was additionally seen being pushed away in a Laver Cup branded Mercedes-Benz automobile.
Conceived by Federer himself, the Laver Cup is a Ryder Cup type match that pits prime tennis gamers from Group Europe in opposition to gamers from Group World. This yr’s Laver Cup is going down from 23-25 September at London’s iconic O2 Enviornment which was as soon as dwelling to the celebrated finish of season ATP Tour Finals. Followers who’ve been fortunate sufficient to safe tickets will be capable of watch quite a few singles and doubles matches between the 2 groups in addition to some blockbuster pairings like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in one of many doubles matches.
Federer’s ‘last dance’
The Laver Cup may also be the final probability for gamers from Group World and Group Europe to play with or in opposition to Roger Federer. The Swiss tennis nice introduced final week that he’ll retire and say goodbye to tennis after the Laver Cup. The 41-year-old has been coping with a string of recurring knee accidents since 2020 and regardless of his finest efforts to return to the ATP Tour, Federer felt that now was the time to place down his racquet.
Federer said: “I know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear”. Many ATP Tour gamers and followers have been referring to the Laver Cup on social media as Federer’s ‘last dance’, that’s, their final probability to look at one of many best tennis gamers ever compete in an official {and professional} match.
The Laver Cup received’t be the primary big tennis occasion to be held at London’s O2 Enviornment. The enduring venue has additionally hosted a number of ATP Tour Finals through the years of which Roger Federer has been part of. It additionally seems that London is among the Swiss Maestro’s favorite cities, making it a super place for his farewell to tennis.
– @LaverCup (Twitter)
This yr would be the first time that the Laver Cup has been held in London. The occasion alternates between cities in Europe and the remainder of the world every year and has visited some spectacular levels together with Boston’s TD Backyard and Prague’s very personal O2 Enviornment. In 2023, the Laver Cup will return to North America to be held on the Rogers Enviornment in Vancouver earlier than heading to Berlin in 2024 to be held on the Mercedes-Benz Enviornment.
Though the Laver Cup will characteristic 4 of tennis’ best gamers, it’ll additionally give followers to look at a few of the most upcoming abilities on the ATP Tour. For instance, this years US Open finalist Casper Ruud will be a part of Group Europe and Australian powerhouse Alex De Minaur will make his Laver Cup debut for Group World. The Laver Cup shall be an actioned packed three-day occasion which you received’t need to miss. These watching within the UK can view the Laver Cup on Eurosport. Take a look beneath for the complete lineup’s for Group Europe and Group World.
Group Europe
- Bjorn Borg (Captain)
- Thomas Enqvist (Vice Captain)
- Roger Federer
- Rafael Nadal
- Andy Murray
- Novak Djokovic
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Casper Ruud
- Matteo Berrettini (alternate)
Group World
- John McEnroe (Captain)
- Patrick McEnroe (Vice Captain)
- Taylor Fritz
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Frances Tiafoe
- Diego Schwartzman
- Alex De Minaur
- Jack Sock
- Tommy Paul (alternate)
