At the Laver Cup 2022, for the first time Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray start together. The remaining European places are therefore very scarce.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: 07/24/2022, 12:53 p.m
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The Laver Cup 2021 in Boston last fall made it clear like hardly any event in recent tennis history that the generational change has actually already taken place: Roger Federer was injured, as was Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray was not an option anyway. And Novak Djokovic, who, as is well known, is not particularly fond of the Federer camp that co-organized the Laver Cup, preferred to lick his wounds after missing the Golden and then the Calendar Grand Slam.
So the Europeans arrived with Alexander Zverev, the then newly crowned US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini and Casper Ruud. A six pack that was again too strong for the world squad coached by John McEnroe. As every time since the first event in Prague in 2018.
The fifth edition in London this September will now see the Big Four as European starters for the first and most likely last time: Federer probably only in doubles, which may also be the best option for the notoriously injured Rafael Nadal. But also Novak Djokovic and as a debutant Andy Murray. A little local color never hurts, even if Murray is far from being one of the best Europeans on tour.
Luxury problems for Björn Borg
But if the six-man teams are to remain, then some players who have so far enjoyed their participation both financially and, above all, ideally, look through their fingers. You can Daniil Medvedev who could still be number one in the world in September? What about Stefanos Tsitsipaswho, after his previous Laver Cup appearances, never tired of emphasizing how much he liked the spirit in Team Europe?
And what about especially with Alexander Zverev, who has never missed a meeting with John McEnroe’s men. Zverev is hoping to return to the US Open after his injury sustained at the French Open. Or certainly to the Davis Cup in Hamburg, which is held a week before the Laver Cup. Not to forget: Zverev took over the role of team leader last year in Federer’s absence. And well executed.
Luxury problems for Björn Borg are those that his old pal and rival John McEnroe can only dream of. The latter can at least rely on the fact that he also has a Grand Slam finalist in his ranks with Nick Kyrgios. And in team competitions, the Australian is known to be particularly fond of serving.
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