Laver Cup: Yannick Noah named new Team Europe captain, replacing veteran Bjorn Borg in San Francisco – Eurosport

French tennis star Yannick Noah will replace Bjorn Borg as Team Europe captain for the Laver Cup, which begins in San Francisco next year.

The former No. 3 player in the world, Noah became the first Frenchman to win the French Open in 37 years after defeating defending champion Mats Wilander in the 1983 men’s singles final.

Noah won 23 singles titles and 16 doubles titles in his career and remains France’s highest ranked male player since the world rankings were introduced in 1973.

The major-winner retired from individual play in 1996 and was introduced into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005. He was awarded the Phillipe Chartier Award in the same year.

Noah is no stranger to team success, captaining the French Davis Cup side to victory in 1991, 1996 and 2017 after playing on the team for 11 years.

After hanging up his racquet, Noah forged himself a career in music, selling more than four million albums to wide acclaim and culminating in popular songs such as ‘Saga Africa’ and notable albums including ‘Black and What’. He also performed at Bob Geldof’s Live 8 concert in 2005.

The 64-year-old is expected to attend this year’s Laver Cup, which will be held in Berlin from September 20-22, in preparation to succeeding Captain Borg next year.

Noah shared his excitement in beginning a “new adventure” with a return to tennis after being largely absent from the sport due to his music career:

“I am truly honored to have been asked to take on the role as Team Europe captain for the Laver Cup,” he explained.

“I’ve been out of the game for a while doing my music, but I am really excited for this new adventure.”

“I also can’t wait to see Andre again after a couple of decades and to face him on the other side. I might have mellowed a bit now, but the competitive side of me is alive forever. I want Team Europe to win!”

Outgoing captain Borg stated that he “can’t think of a better person to take over” from him as Laver Cup Team Europe captain.

“He is a great champion, leader and person and I’m sure he will enjoy being part of this great competition as much as I have. I will of course be wishing him and Team Europe continued success over the years,” said Borg.

Borg, who has been Team Europe captain since the tournament’s inception in 2017, will leave his post alongside long-serving Team World captain John McEnroe after this year’s competition in September.

September’s event will likely be Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal’s final Laver Cup appearance as a player, turning out alongside World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, World No. 4 Alexander Zverev and World No. 5 Daniil Medvedev.