The Laver Cup may lack the star power of its previous iterations with no Grand Slam or world champions taking the court at Rogers Arena, but tournament co-founder Roger Federer is convinced there will be quality tennis on display in Vancouver.
Last yearB次元官网网址檚 event featured Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal all representing Team Europe.
B次元官网网址淚t was always going to be hard, especially with my retirement,B次元官网网址� Federer said about having the other three players compete in this yearB次元官网网址檚 tournament. B次元官网网址淩afa being injured, Novak taking a break, I understood that, obviously, completely. Murray maybe not coming back again, itB次元官网网址檚 understandable. Look it is what it is, I still think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a great weekend.B次元官网网址�
This yearB次元官网网址檚 team has been hampered by withdrawals, with world No. 4 Holger Rune and world No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipa withdrawing due to surgery or injury.
B次元官网网址淭he greatest players are still here,B次元官网网址� said Federer. B次元官网网址淥bviously everybody was asked to play and we want all the best to play, but it wasnB次元官网网址檛 possible with schedules and all that stuff. I was a tough guy as well when it came to scheduling. I was very rigorous about which tournaments I could play.B次元官网网址�
Team World consists of Americans Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz, along with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, and has five players ranked in the top 20 in the world.
By comparison, Team Europe has three B次元官网网址� Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz.
B次元官网网址淚 still think the tennis is going to be exceptional. WeB次元官网网址檙e still talking absolute top level. ItB次元官网网址檚 an absolute pity that players had to pull out, but I think the ones coming in are exciting,B次元官网网址� said Federer.
The three-day event, which runs Friday to Sunday, is in its sixth year. Team World will be attempting to defend its title for the first time with Europe winning four of the five previous tournaments.
The tournament switches locations every year, with an aim of showcasing top tennis around the world.
But Federer admits that changing locales might come with drawbacks.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 obviously easier (to grow the tournament) if it was in Vancouver every single year. By jumping, it becomes a little more tricky and I guess the question begs itself, B次元官网网址榦ne day is it easier to be three years in Vancouver and then three years in another place or destination?B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know, because it would be easier to build up something more concrete over an amount of time, but I think the Laver Cup has done wonderful.B次元官网网址�
But, the former 20 Grand Slam titles-winner and world No. 1, said the event can have a lasting affect on young or aspiring tennis players.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a weight this event can carry,B次元官网网址� Federer said. B次元官网网址淭hrough events like these, you create memories as well for children and parents.B次元官网网址�
Watching these matches can inspire children to pick up a tennis racket or become more involved in the sport, he added.
READ ALSO:
