The 2024 edition of the Laver Cup ended with the victory of Team Europe at the Uber Arena in Berlin. The weekend was spectacular and full of surprises, redeeming last years edition in Vancouver (when almost all the top players were missing).
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Team Europe was one step closer to the abyss against Team World, but it was driven by the comeback of German aceAlexander Zverev against Frances Tiafoe and especially by a great Carlos Alcaraz. The four-time Grand Slam champion made a difference in the decisive moment, winning the match against Taylor Fritz that allowed the team led by Bjorn Borg to lift the trophy.
Fans enjoyed the event and showed up in Berlin despite the very high ticket prices. This format continues to work very well and the presence of Roger Federer as main promoter of the event helps even more the success of the Laver Cup. Next year the event will take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco, where the Golden State Warriors play. Rod Laver, the Australian legend that is the events name, will be very happy, as he lives just over 700 km from San Francisco. For the moment, it is possible to organize the Laver Cup in Asia or South America.
A lot of emotions
There are many reasons for the success of the Laver Cup and the partnership with ATP - which has been extended until 2029 - ensures this event an excellent position in the calendar. Team World led by John McEnroe has been close to the result but had to surrender only at the last challenge, where Carlos Alcaraz prevailed on Taylor Fritz. The former American legend, who came to his last term, spoke at a press conference together with the whole team.
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"It was definitely an extraordinary weekend, we fought as much as possible, we could almost taste it, but unfortunately it did not happen. But we have put ourselves in a very close position to get it. The atmosphere was great every day, the energy of the team was fantastic, all the guys played well. Its a shame to have lost, I admit that," said McEnroe.
A victory that perhaps already preached: "I was ready to celebrate the triplet. I was in a different mood, maybe a little drunk, we also had champagne waiting for us in the room", he then confessed. 7 years leading Team Europe, which you cant forget easily: "I loved being a captain, I always loved being part of the team, since I was a child, even in other sports. I love the Davis Cup, so these team events are very special for me, I always try to put my love out in this meeting we do every year. Its great fun for me to meet the kids and spend time with them, here in Berlin Im taking another memorable week with me," he said.
During the press conference, Taylor Fritz also spoke about the difficulties encountered in the decisive match with Alcaraz, making a parallel with the final lost to Jannik Sinner at the Us Open: "I suffered from some tension on my left shoulder. I noticed it from day one, especially when I hit the reverse. I thought today would feel better, but it didnt. After the first two sets I realized that I was still sore. I had to take pain medication.
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Its hard to compare the matches with Sinner and Alcaraz. Here there were much slower conditions than in New York. In both games I suffered the fact that I did not have time to enter the exchange. With Carlos in particular I did not feel comfortable. I was in a hurry, moving around the court, I feel like I had less space to breathe with him, but both players are phenomenal," he concluded.
The format works well
The players are very involved in this event, which allows you to create a team atmosphere in a sport where they are often alone. In an interview with Tennis.com, ATP legend Boris Becker spoke about the Laver Cup: Im a big fan of team competitions, I liked playing in the Davis Cup. Ive always watched the Laver Cup, this is my first time here in person, and I feel very proud to have been invited to the German capital.
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First of all, it is extremely important for Germany as a tennis location to have the Laver Cup in Berlin. It is equally important that we have the best German tennis player, Sascha Zverev, in our ranks here. We are currently experiencing a tennis boom internationally and in Germany, too, many people are watching more tennis than before. So its important to have tournaments like the Laver Cup, where the best in the world play.
