Roger Federer’s big final stage is the Laver Cup in London. What you need to know about the tournament.
The Laver Cup, co-founded by Roger Federer, has been held since 2017. As of 2019 it is officially included in the ATP calendar. The format is similar to the Ryder Cup in golf: a European team is not competing against an American team, but against a global selection. This year the competition is being held for the fifth time, and for the first time, at the O2 Arena in London.
the difference
Team Europe, which has won the previous four events, leads the former “Big 4” of world tennis: in addition to retired Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. There is also Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, finalists in France and the United States. Matteo Berrettini was announced as a replacement.
Team World players have less magic: Alex de Minaur (AUS), Félix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) and Diego Schwartzman (ARG) work alongside the three Americans, Francis Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz and Jack Sock. The alternative is Tommy Ball (USA).
Former competitors Bjorn Borg (Team Europe) and John McEnroe (Team World) serve as captains.
the mood
The game will be played over three days starting on Friday. Every day there are 3 singles and 1 double in the programme. One point is awarded for each win on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday. With 13 (out of 24 possible points), winning the tournament is dry.
Which also means: in the first two days, no decision will be made, because the team can only advance 12-0, even if it wins all the matches. If it is 12:12 after the regular program, there are additional complications to determine the winner.
Privacy
The regulations do not actually state that a player only plays doubles. Not even if his name is Roger Federer. In plain language: after his farewell in the doubles alongside Rafael Nadal on Friday (from around 9:30pm live on SRF Zwei and in the Sports App), Federer will be eliminated and his place in the team is left to Matteo Berrettini. Regulations do not allow Federer to be used again, even if he wanted to.
the meaning
ATP points are not awarded in the Laver Cup. In addition to the initial fee, which is based on the ATP rating, each player on the winning team can look to receive an additional prize money of $250,000. Aside from Federer’s Dernière, the sporting importance is also due to the famous names appearing in London and ensuring top level tennis.
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