Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Tommy Paul have been named as the first players for John McEnroe’s Team World for the upcoming Laver Cup in Berlin. These players were part of Team World’s victory in previous years and will be looking to defend their title against Team Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg. The competition will be the final year that Borg and McEnroe will be going head-to-head as team captains.
De Minaur, known as ‘Demon,’ has had a strong start to 2024, breaking into the top 10 and winning his eighth ATP Tour title. Fritz, currently ranked No. 13, has also had success on the ATP Tour, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 5. Paul, returning for his third Laver Cup, is excited to once again be part of the event and hopes to contribute to another team victory.
The Laver Cup, named in honor of Rod Laver, pits six of the top men’s tennis players from Europe against six players from the rest of the world. The competition is played on a black court and rotates between host cities in Europe and the world annually. Each team’s six players must compete in singles matches over the three-day competition, with match wins earning points towards the overall team score.
McEnroe is committed to using his Captain’s picks to ensure the participation of De Minaur, Fritz, and Paul in the Laver Cup, as they were named before the qualification deadline. Team Europe has already named top players Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev to their roster, promising strong competition for Team World. Both captains are determined to secure victory in their final year leading their respective teams in the Laver Cup.
The Laver Cup has been a favorite event for players like Fritz, who enjoys the team environment and camaraderie that comes with competing alongside rivals and being mentored by legends like John McEnroe. The unique format of the competition, with rotating host cities and dramatic black courts, adds to the excitement and energy of the tournament. Fans can watch top tennis action, including the Laver Cup, live on discovery+ to see the intense competition unfold in Berlin.
