Canceled last year because of the health crisis, the Laver Cup is back, this Friday and for three days, on the occasion of its 4e edition, which takes place for the first time in its history in Boston.
Launched at the initiative of Roger Federer four years ago, this competition has gradually made a place for itself in the tennis calendar, even if it is only an exhibition and does not earn any points in the ATP ranking. As the matches begin this Friday, September 24, here are five things to know about the Laver Cup.
A format inspired by the Ryder Cup
Established in 1927, the Ryder Cup is an institution for all golf enthusiasts, and beyond. The format is as follows: a team competition between the United States on one side and the Europeans on the other. A format on which Tony Godsick, Roger Federer’s agent, wanted to model himself. It was with him that the Swiss created in 2013 the management company Team 8, at the origin of the creation of the Laver Cup.
The meetings take place over three days, from Friday to Sunday. There are 4 matches per day (3 singles and a double). On Friday, a victory earns 1 point, Saturday 2 points and Sunday 3 points. This growing importance is intended to keep the suspense as long as possible. Matches are played in two winning sets, with a super ten-point tie-break if both players win a round. By settling at the end of September, the Laver Cup pushed the parallel to the end. This weekend, the Ryder Cup and Laver Cup will be contested at the same time.
A competition in tribute to Rod Laver
By Roger Federer’s own admission, this competition aims to “pay tribute to the great glories of tennis history”, foremost among them Rod Laver. The Swiss have never hidden his admiration for the Australian champion, the only player to have achieved the calendar Grand Slam in the Open era, in 1969.
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Rod Laver (right) alongside Roger Federer in the Swiss victory at Wimbledon in 2009. © AFP archives
A first without any member of the Big Three
In terms of the media, this 4th edition of the Laver Cup is a crash test. First, because the competition is back, two after its last edition. Above all, this Laver Cup 2021 will be the first to be contested without any member of the Big Three (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic). Indeed, the first two are injured until the end of the season because of foot problems for the Spaniard and knee for the Swiss. For his part, the world No. 1 has decided to take a little rest at his home in Belgrade after the last US Open, where he failed in the final against Daniil Medvedev.
If the three co-holders of the number of Grand Slam titles have ensured the media installation of the event, the Laver Cup will have to learn to live without them. At least for a year. Currently at rest after another surgery on his right knee, Roger Federer said this week that one of his goals was to “get fully involved in order to be able to play again at the O2 Arena in London in 2022.”
According to organizers, all of the 19,600 seats at TD Garden in Boston are expected to be filled this weekend.
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Europe won the first three editions
This Friday in Boston opens the fourth edition of the Laver Cup. But the least we can say is that the record of this young competition is unbalanced. The “Team World” has never managed to win. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, the victory went to the European team, often favorite on paper. This year again, the task will be difficult for “Team World”. Indeed, while the European team is made up of six members of the Top 10 (Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Rublev, Berrettini, Ruud), the best ranked of the “Team World”, namely Félix Auger-Aliassime, is ranked at the 11e world place.
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In 2019, Europe won the Laver Cup by a score of 13-11. © AFP
Two prestigious captains
It is not only on the courts that the big players will take place, all weekend in Boston. On the benches, no less than 19 Grand Slam titles will be present. On the one hand, Björn Borg, six-time winner of Roland-Garros and five-time winner of Wimbledon, will supervise the players of “Team Europe”. On the other hand, the Swede will find his former rival, against whom he played four Major finals, including the legendary Wimbledon final in 1980: John McEnroe.
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Two always different temperaments between the placid Borg and the hot McEnroe. The show won’t just be on court at TD Garden in Boston.
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