Connect with us

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz joined by two big names in Team Europe’s Laver Cup squad as stars react

Published

3 months ago

on

Carlos Alcaraz will be joined by ATP rivals Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in Bjorn Borg’s Team Europe squad for the 2024 edition of the Laver Cup. 

Team Europe are looking to win back the Laver Cup after they were crushed 13-2 by Team World in Vancouver in September at the 2023 event. Team World won the Laver Cup for the first time since its 2017 introduction in 2022, after Europe triumphed in the first four editions.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Laver Cup debut this year, with the exhibition team competition to be staged in Berlin from September 20-22.

Following his team’s dominant 2023 victory, Team World captain John McEnroe admitted the 2024 edition would be a different proposition if Alcaraz were to play.

“We’ll be back in Europe. A couple of guys, you know, Carlos Alcaraz, if he plays, it will be obviously a different story right off the bat. So we’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity and get some momentum,” the former world No 1 said in the post-event press conference.

Team Europe captain Borg expressed his approval at the three players named in his six-player squad so far for this year’s Laver Cup.

“Team Europe is super motivated to win back the Cup in Berlin. With Daniil, Sascha [Zverev] and Carlos on my team, I think we have an excellent chance of making that happen,” the Swede declared.

“The guys have had an incredible start to the year, and this is a really strong first half of our line-up. I’m thrilled to have these champions in the fold for 2024.”

World No 3 Medvedev, who was a member of Team Europe’s victorious 2021 Laver Cup side, shared his thoughts on the event after the announcement of his participation.

“For me, the most exciting thing about Laver Cup is always the team spirit, because it’s very rare that I get to play team competitions in tennis,” the 27-year-old Russian said.

READ MORE: Former world No 1 picks Daniil Medvedev as the ‘best player who has one Slam’ over himself

“Having Carlos and Sascha on our team will help a lot because they are two of the best players in the world and I’m really excited to try and get Team Europe back to their winning ways.”

Zverev, a four-time Laver Cup winner, expressed his excitement ahead of his return to the competition and the fact it will be held in his home nation of Germany.

“I’m so excited about returning to Laver Cup. The atmosphere is always electric and for the Laver Cup to be at home in Germany, for me in particular, is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the world No 6 said.

“Team World has won the last two Laver Cups so we are highly motivated to bring the Cup back to Europe and hopefully, with the support of the local fans, we can do it on home soil.”

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion McEnroe recognised the European side would be motivated but warned his side are too.

“They want to win this one badly. But guess what? So do we. This is going to be one of the biggest showdowns in tennis this year,” the American asserted.

READ MORE: Legendary coach makes two Carlos Alcaraz Grand Slam predictions as he issues Jannik Sinner claim

Related Topics:
Continue Reading