This weekend’s Laver Cup could easily be rebranded Roger Federer’s Final Farewell, but there is plenty to look out for beyond the Swiss’ last match before retirement.
Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are among the 41-year-old’s teammates in London for what is the fifth edition of the Laver Cup.
And then in the opposite corner you have Team World, captained by John McEnroe, who are out to end a horrid run in the exhibition event.
That could take some doing, looking at the line-ups, but nevertheless a weekend away from the pressure cooker of ranking tournaments should make for an entertaining spectacle at the O2 Arena.
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Murray’s first Laver Cup – and last?
At 35, Murray is making his Laver Cup debut this weekend. The location perhaps swayed it for the Briton, who will be a big draw beyond the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic fanatics that will be filling The O2.
With Federer and Serena Williams both retiring in September, the spotlight arguably now turns on Murray regarding when he will call time on his career.
The three-time grand slam winner has strived to overcome injuries that have hampered his most recent years on tour, resulting in a return to the top 50, but having already admitted he may have played his last Davis Cup match for Great Britain, Murray may well make it one Laver Cup and out with the subsequent edition in Vancouver next year.
That is not to say Murray will hang his tennis shoes up just yet, but expect him to face questions over his future in between having a hit with some familiar foes.
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Andy Murray ‘proud’ of US Open run but disappointed and angry at Matteo Berrettini defeat02 September, 2022Team Europe
Captain: Bjorn Borg
Vice-captain: Thomas Enqvist
Players (ATP ranking in brackets)
- Casper Ruud (2)
- Rafael Nadal (3)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (6)
- Novak Djokovic (7)
- Andy Murray (43)
- Roger Federer (n/a)
- Matteo Berrettini (15) – alternate*
- Cameron Norrie (8) – alternate*
Both Berrettini and Norrie replaced Federer and Nadal from Saturday.
Team World out to avoid fifth straight loss
On paper, Team Europe are expected to win this year’s edition of the Laver Cup, boasting four top-10 players to Team World’s zero.
Europe won 14-1 last year, outlining this imbalanced divide that may well need addressing in the future, although that could be put to one side if Team World can put in a good show this weekend.
World No 12 Taylor Fritz is their highest-ranked player, and with Felix Auger-Aliassime (13) and Frances Tiafoe (19) among those in support, the team do look capable of picking up more than just the solitary point this time around.
Team World
Captain: John McEnroe
Vice-captain: Patrick McEnroe
Players
- Taylor Fritz (12)
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (13)
- Diego Schwartzman (17)
- Frances Tiafoe (19)
- Alex de Minaur (22)
- Jack Sock (128)
- Tommy Paul (29) – alternate
Djokovic back after US Open absence
Few players on the ATP Tour have had a year like Djokovic. Unable to play in the Australian Open, having set foot on Australian soil before being sent home, Djokovic then reached the French Open quarters and won Wimbledon before his Covid stance also meant entry into the US Open was not possible.
Missing two grand slams put paid to his hopes of overhauling Nadal in the “GOAT” race, but for now that can all be put aside with Djokovic joining his greatest rivals for what is, essentially, a bit of fun.
With Federer likely to play with Nadal on Friday night, the next doubles match is on Saturday night, so there is every chance Djokovic joins Murray to hand any fans who may have missed Federer’s final match another blockbuster pairing.
Viral antics
Although the event may be missing Nick Kyrgios in this regard, the tweener-loving showman who had played every Laver Cup until this one – “gotta have that home time with my family and beautiful girlfriend,” he said – the event will still provide some of the world’s best players with a platform to entertain.
No ATP points are on offer, and this is the most glorified of exhibitions going, so the trick shots should come out across the weekend, as well as some boisterous sideline celebrations as both sides look to create a partisan atmosphere for their respective on-court teammates.
As we have seen in recent years too, the players often give out advice to their peers during matches, which has most certainly been a hit given the unique situation this event throws up.
Berrettini stepping up
It will be just the one doubles match for Federer, he confirmed on Wednesday, and that means Team Europe’s alternate Matteo Berrettini – a more than capable replacement – could be in action on Saturday.
“I asked Bjorn if it was okay if I play maybe just one doubles, and I guess that one would have to be on Friday night,” Federer said. “Then I guess Matteo [Berrettini] would come in for me and have to play on Saturday for me.
“Bjorn said obviously, ‘Of course, that’s totally fine’. Everybody said that was fine. So here I am trying to prepare for one last doubles, and we’ll see with who it is. I’m nervous going in because I haven’t played in so long. I hope I can be somewhat competitive.”