Laver Cup organizers, responding to strong market demand, today announced plans to stage the event in 2020, and every year going forward.
The newest team event on the international tennis calendar, which pits six of the top male tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world, garnered global attention and high praise from many parts of the tennis world in its debut on a stylish black court before sell-out crowds in Prague in 2017.
The debut event culminated in a dramatic final match on the last day with Roger Federer saving a match point against Nick Kyrgios to thwart a stampeding Team World and secure Team Europe the inaugural Laver Cup. Players enjoyed the competition so much, that many said they could not wait to play it again.
Throughout the three-day tournament the 18,000 sell-out crowd was treated to entertainment innovations and ‘unrivaled’ competition in what proved to be one of the highlights of the tennis year.
The event clearly resonated with the sporting public, with tickets for this year’s edition in Chicago selling quickly and the European venue for 2019 to be revealed in the weeks to come.
Sponsorship support has also been stellar with prestige brands including founding partner Rolex, global sponsors Mercedes-Benz and JPMorgan Chase, and global suppliers Moet & Chandon, Wilson and Steve Furgal’s Tennis Tours all signing on since 2017.
NetJets has joined the partner coterie for 2018, along with event sponsor Grey Poupon. There will be further announcements on new partners and broadcasters in the coming weeks.
The appeal of the Laver Cup in Prague and Chicago has prompted the decision to stage the event in 2020.
On the back of Prague, strong player interest, and the amazing public and commercial response for this year’s event in Chicago, we feel the time is right to publicly map out our next phase of growth
“On the back of Prague, strong player interest, and the amazing public and commercial response for this year’s event in Chicago, we feel the time is right to publicly map out our next phase of growth,” Laver Cup managing director Steve Zacks explained.
“We initially scheduled the event for three consecutive years with the Olympic year off. But the strong demand compels us to build on the great momentum the Laver Cup has created by holding the event every year.
“The intense competition, great team chemistry, the black court, unique scoring system, innovative broadcast and superb fan experience all contributed to a benchmark we aim to exceed in Chicago and each year thereafter. There is no reason to take a year off.”
Zacks said a decision on the host city for 2020 will be made in due course.