SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson, World No.8 John Isner, and Argentine young gun Diego Schwartzman will join Team World at the Laver Cup in Chicago in September.
The three top-15 players will join world No. 4 Juan Martin del Potro and Australian [18] Nick Kyrgios, McEnroe’s first ‘captain’s pick’ for the team.
One more player, John McEnroe’s final captain’s pick, will be named for Team World prior to the US Open.
“I’m very excited to have the Wimbledon finalist Kevin (Anderson) and semifinalist John (Isner) joining Team World for the Laver Cup in Chicago,” captain John McEnroe said today.
“Along with Juan Martin del Potro and Nick (Kyrgios) I think we could be looking at perhaps the world’s tallest and biggest-serving tennis team.
“Both Kevin and John have big games and they’ll add massive firepower to our team. It was incredible to watch them as rivals battle it out on center court at Wimbledon in that marathon semifinal match, with neither of them prepared to concede a point. And in Chicago, at Laver Cup, we’ll see them come together as teammates.
“And then we add in the grittiness, determination and agility of Diego Schwartzman, whose consistency at the highest level has been impressive over the past 18 months.
This is a tremendous team and with one more player still to be selected, I’d say Team World is in great shape, looking pretty well-rounded and convincing, and more than capable of taking on Team Europe. I have a feeling this will be our year. – John McEnroe
“This is a tremendous team and with one more player still to be selected, I’d say Team World is in great shape, looking pretty well-rounded and convincing, and more than capable of taking on Team Europe. I have a feeling this will be our year.”
This year has been a revelation for Anderson, the epitome of a player who has been a total professional for his entire career and is now reaping the rewards of consistent hard work.
Anderson may have lost to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, but his defeat of Roger Federer on his favorite surface, and gritty win over Isner in the marathon semifinal, saw him hit a career-high ranking of world No.5 and win many new fans.
Anderson is looking forward to ‘coming home’ to Chicago for the Laver Cup, having spent three seasons playing college tennis at the University of Illinois, where he was a three-time All-American in singles and two-time All-American in doubles.
“I’m incredibly excited about playing the Laver Cup in Chicago this year, and to be playing with such a high quality group of guys in just the second event is really a huge honor for me,” Anderson said.
“I watched the event last year and thought it was wonderful and I can’t wait to join our captain, John McEnroe, who is a legend of the game of tennis, and the rest of our team – it’s an amazing opportunity.
“It will be great to have John Isner on my side as a teammate instead of having to face him on the other side of the net. Our very long Wimbledon semifinal was definitely memorable but it’s not an experience I’m keen to repeat anytime soon!”
Isner, a mainstay in the top 25 for most of the past 10 years, also hit a career high of No.8 following his exploits at Wimbledon this year.
Isner is looking forward to a second outing with Team World, citing the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague as one of his highlights of 2017.
“We all had a great time playing the Laver Cup in Prague last year and I’m very excited to have the chance to join Team World and play the event at home in the United States, in Chicago, this year.
“The Laver Cup is a brilliant format, getting the top players together and having the chance to play as a team is very special, and it will only continue to build.”
“I’ve had some great matches and rivalries with this group of guys over the years, even going back to our college days with Kevin, and of course after what happened at Wimbledon, it will be nice to have Kevin on my side of the net, along with Delpo, Diego and Nick.”
Schwartzman has risen to world No.12 in the rankings this year on the back of a string of great performances, and even managed to steal a set from the ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal, at Roland Garros this year.
“I am so honored to be part of Team World for Laver Cup, and to have the chance to play with such huge figures in our sport, including of course my fellow Argentine, Juan Martin.
Playing as part of a team always brings a different kind of intensity and I’m very excited to join Team World and will do my best to win the Laver Cup. – Diego Schwartzman
“Playing as part of a team always brings a different kind of intensity and I’m very excited to join Team World and will do my best to win the Laver Cup.”
Team Europe won the inaugural Laver Cup 15-9 in Prague last year, in a thrilling decider where Roger Federer saved a match point to defeat Team World’s Nick Kyrgios and hoist the magnificent trophy.
Team World will be keen to avenge the loss and make the most of their home-ground advantage at the United Center in Chicago from September 21-23.
