 "Players representing Team Europe and Team World as well as the two captains and their deputies pose with the winner's trophy in Berlin ahead of the seventh edition of the Laver Cup. Reuters")
With the US Open concluding 10 days ago with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka getting crowned as champions of men’s and women’s singles respectively at Flushing Meadows, it’s time for tennis fans to shift their focus to the final stretch of the 2024 season.
Among the key events to watch out for after the season-ending finals in the ATP and WTA categories respectively, both taking place in the month of November in Turin and Riyadh respectively. There’s also the Next Gen Finals along with the Davis Cup finals for men.
Another event that has made its way into the ATP calendar in recent years and is set to begin not a month or two from now but in a little over 24 hours is the Laver Cup.
The hard-court tournament was established in honour of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver and is tennis’ answer to the Ryder Cup, wherein the best of tennis players from Europe take on the very best from the rest of the world in a showdown comprising multiple matches.
Before the seventh edition of the Laver Cup gets underway, we take a look at the players representing the two teams this year as well as the format, prize money, schedule and more:
When and where will the 2024 Laver Cup take place?
The seventh edition of the Laver Cup will be taking place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany from 20 to 22 September.
What is the format of the 2024 Laver Cup?
Each match in the Laver Cup follows the ‘best of three sets’ format, with the third set being decided by a 10-point tie-breaker in case of split sets. The two teams — Europe and World — comprise six players each. At least four players will have to play at least one singles tie in the first two days while four out of six will have to play doubles.
However, a player cannot play more than two singles ties over the course of three days. And in doubles, a pair cannot feature more than once unless it’s for the Decider on Day 3, in case both teams are tied on 12 points each.
A victory is worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday, with the first team reaching 13 points being crowned Laver Cup champions. In case both teams are level on points, a doubles match will be played to decide the winner, with the third set going into a tie-breaker in case of split sets.
Will Roger Federer be participating in the Laver Cup this year?
Federer will be involved with the Laver Cup, but unfortunately for the fans, not as a player. The 20-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland after all, helped create the tournament in partnership with Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia.
‘Fedex’ had participated in the first three editions from 2017 to 2019 and would skip 2021. He would then bid a tearful goodbye to the sport in 2022, where he teamed up alongside good friend and long-time rival Rafael Nadal.
Read | Rafael Nadal pulls out of Laver Cup; changes made to Team World squad
Federer remained true to his word and has not withdrawn his retirement since, but remains involved with the Laver Cup as the tournament’s ambassador.
Who are the players representing Team USA and Europe this year?
Team Europe: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain), Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria), Daniil Medvedev (Russia), Casper Ruud (Norway), Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece), Alexander Zverev (Germany); Alternates: Falvio Cobolli (Italy), Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany)
Team World: Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina), Taylor Fritz (USA), Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia), Ben Shelton (USA), Alejandro Tabilo (Chile), Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Who are the captains of Team USA and Europe this year?
Team Europe and Team World will once again be led by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe respectively. Thomas Enqvist will serve as vice-captain for Team Europe with Patrick McEnroe, John’s youngest brother, performing a similar role for Team World.
Where can I watch the Laver Cup live?
You can watch the Laver Cup live on Sony Sports Network on cable or DTH television, or tune into the live stream of the event on the SonyLIV website and app.
Full schedule of 2024 Laver Cup (timings in IST)
Friday, 20 September:
Singles — Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo (4 PM)
Singles — Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Singles — Grigor Dimitrov vs Alejandro Tabilo (10 PM)
Doubles — Carlos Alcaraz/Alexander Zverev vs Taylor Fritz/Ben Shelton
Saturday, 21 September
Singles — Match 5 (4 PM)
Singles — Match 6
Singles — Match 7 (10 PM)
Doubles — Match 8
Sunday, 22 September
Doubles — Match 9 (3 PM)
Singles — Match 10 (If required)
Singles — Match 11 (If required)
Singles — Match 12 (If required)
Previous winners
Prague, 2017: Team Europe (15-9)
Chicago, 2018: Team Europe (13-8)
Geneva, 2019: Team Europe (13-11)
Boston 2021: Team Europe (14-1)
London 2022: Team World (13-8)
Vancouver 2023: Team World (13-2)