Federer touches down in Prague

Team Europe’s Roger Federer jetted into Prague today to begin his Laver Cup campaign under Bjorn Borg’s captaincy.

The world No.2 and winner of 19 Grand Slam singles titles delighted passers-by when he touched down at Prague Airport to prepare for the inaugural competition, which Federer hopes will become a new tradition on the tennis calendar to honor Australian great, Rod Laver.

His fellow team members include world No.1 Rafael Nadal, No.4 Alexander Zverev, No.5 Marin Cilic, No.7 Dominic Thiem and local superstar Tomas Berdych, ranked No.19.

The competition begins on Friday, with two singles matches in the day and a singles and doubles match in the night session.

Borg and Team World captain John McEnroe will announce their first player lineups on Thursday.

“We’ll be spending time as a team, really building the team spirit, “ Federer told reporters, adding that he had not played much tennis since the US Open, where he was defeated in the quarterfinals by Juan Martin del Potro.

“I was tired after the US Open. Many things in my body were broken. I’m feeling better now,” Federer said.

Describing the Laver Cup, Federer said you could not compare the event to tennis at the Olympics or the Davis Cup. “They have been around for a long, long time,” he said.

“The Laver Cup is three days a year and that’s it. It’s quite different in my opinion. It’s a new event, hopefully this will be the start of a great history.

“It’s not an exhibition, I know some people mention that word, I don’t even like it.  We are playing in the honor and legacy of Rod Laver. Bjorn Borg definitely wants to win and I know John McEnroe does not want to lose.”

​