Move over Steffi Graf! Yannick Noah has taken the helm for Team Europe! He will take over as Team Europe’s Laver Cup captain from Bjorn Borg, starting in 2025 in San Francisco—the same squad that Roger Federer has represented. After Team Europe’s captaincy was announced, a lot of tennis fans were dismayed by this significant decision.
The official Instagram handle of Roger Federer’s tournament recently shared this update. Along with that, the caption reads, “Introducing the next Team Europe Captain, Yannick Noah. Noah will attend this year’s Laver Cup in Berlin to prepare for his new role and be formally introduced as the next Team Europe Captain. His term will begin with Laver Cup San Francisco 2025.”
While there were speculations that it might be the American tennis legend, Andre Agassi wife’s Steffi Graf, might carry on the team Europe captaincy. But now this announcement has left everyone shocked and astonished at the same time. Nonetheless, the former French tennis player has managed to stay in the spotlight by redefining himself as a tremendously renowned and well-liked global music icon.
He played at Bob Geldof’s Live 8 concert in 2005 and has sold over four million CDs. On the other hand, even Borg shared his views on this change. He said, “I can’t think of a better person to take over this role than my good friend Yannick. 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.”
Subsequently, the 64-year-old former tennis player also shared thoughts on taking over the captaincy position and said, “I love team competitions, the emotions they bring, getting to know the guys, how they are on and off the court as people – it will be great. I also can’t wait to see Andre again after a couple of decades and to face him on the other side.”
On the other hand, John McEnroe, another American, who has captained Team World since the first Laver Cup in Prague in 2017, will hand off the position to Agassi. At the Laver Cup this year, McEnroe and Team Europe Captain Bjorn Borg will square off for the last time. Borg has been McEnroe’s longtime nemesis.
Andre Agassi to lead Team World in Roger Federer’s Laver Cup
The 54-year-old American tennis player attended this year’s event in Berlin, and he introduced himself as the next Team World captain. Agassi stated, “I am truly honored to accept the invitation to become the Laver Cup Team World Captain. In just seven short years since the Laver Cup began, it’s been so enjoyable for fans, including myself, to watch the greats of the game team up and compete against one another in this incredible team environment.”
Not only that, while the change will be seen next year, this year will be the last showdown of Borg and McEnroe’s rivalry at Federer’s event. In addition, Agassi has stayed quite active in the tennis arena with his frequent participation, here and there. The French tennis player will be seen getting on the center stage after a long time. Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the new Laver Cup captains? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.