From 2017 – 2019, Roger Federer, the twenty Grand Slam winner lifted the Laver Cup, with Team Europe, consecutively without any struggle or fight from Team World. But that ‘amazing run’ has now become history. Team World wins the Laver Cup back-to-back, the very first in the cup history and their second cup in six years.
As Roger Federer watched Team Europe – the team he loves and has played for – being battered by Team World in the 2023 Laver Cup; Federer later expressed his utmost hopes in seeing two generations of the the sport to pair up together and restore Team Europe in 2024.
Roger Federer talks on players he wants at Laver Cup 2024
Roger Federer was in attendance at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada for Team World’s comprehensive 13-2 win over Team Europe at 2023 Laver Cup. Team World clinched their second consecutive title after winning the Laver Cup for the first time last year.
Following Team Europe’s loss, Roger Federer, who has represented the team on four occasions, discussed his ideal lineup for the 2024 Laver Cup. The former World No. 1 conveyed his desire for Novak Djokovic to make a return to the event and team up with Carlos Alcaraz next year.
“I would like to see Novak again to be honest. I would love to see actually Alcaraz and Novak on the same team. Love to see that happen,” Roger Federer told Eurosport.
Roger Federer also wished other tennis stars would pair up for Team Europe in 2024 Laver Cup. “Zverev would be great for the German market as well and he’s been such a great supporter of the Laver Cup as well. Someone like [Holger] Rune, he pulled out too and that really hurt Team Europe. Losing [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and Rune,” Roger Federer said.
“There’s a lot to choose from, [Daniil] Medvedev obviously would be great. I like watching [Andrey] Rublev as well. I think he tried really hard but it was a tough weekend for him. Then hopefully somebody is going to breakthrough as well ad get a chance to be a pick for Bjorn Borg,” Federer concluded.
Roger Federer, twenty-times Grand Slam champion and co-founder of the Laver Cup, despite being off the courts, remains the main figure in the team tournament between Team World and Team Europe. He spent the entire week participating in interviews and events to promote the tournament.
2023 Laver Cup winners
Team World defeated Team Europe at the just concluded Laver Cup; clinching it for the second time. Thanks to the Americans, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, who held their nerve to defeat Team Europe’s Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev 7-6(4), 7-6(5) and secure the Laver Cup 13-2.
Shelton and Tiafoe relied on their firepower and were dominant on serve, winning 40 of their 48 first-serve points to clinch the title. A key moment came when Shelton and Tiafoe won three consecutive points from 4/5 in the second-set tie-break to close the match.
After the win, Shelton said, “It’s been crazy for me and I’ve enjoyed being in a team environment. I’ve enjoyed playing for Johnny Mac. Team World really brought the energy this week. It’s easy for me to play when I’m amped up and hyped and the bench has done a great job of hyping me up all week. Playing with Frances speaks for itself, easiest guy to play with, most fun guy to be on the court with.”
Tiafoe said, “Being a part of it last year and clinching it last year was so emotional, first time. John [McEnroe] was super excited. Now, being able to do it again in doubles with Ben was a lot of fun.”
Led by Captain John McEnroe, Team World has now won the past two editions of the Laver Cup after falling in the first four.
“It felt unbelievable to kick their a** baby!” McEnroe said. “They kicked ours many times. It was a battle to the end when we won last year and we came in, great team spirit, good combination of youth and experience.”
The Vancouver crowd was treated to exciting rallies, with both teams demonstrating quick reflexes and deft touch in the forecourt throughout the one-hour, 37-minute clash. There are hopes that the German crowd would be treated better in 2024, as hopes on tennis stars return continue to grow high.
