SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
Team Europe Captain Bjorn Borg surprised Team World Captain John McEnroe by announcing Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer would team in Friday night's doubles, following three singles matches on Day 1 of the competition.
The first day of Laver Cup action gets underway at 1pm on Friday with Grigor Dimitrov opening in singles for Team Europe against Frances Tiafoe representing Team World in Match 1.
They will be followed by Laver Cup debutant Kyle Edmund (Team Europe) against Jack Sock for the World side.
In the night session starting at 7pm, David Goffin (Team Europe) will face Diego Schwartzman (Team World) followed by a blockbuster doubles featuring Djokovic and Federer (Team Europe) against world No.1 doubles player Sock, teaming with Kevin Anderson.
I did have an inkling they would play, I am surprised they would play the first day – John McEnroe
While McEnroe described Tiafoe as a future top-10 player, Borg said his charge, Dimitrov, was bound for Grand Slam glory.
“He’s player with a lot of potential, a player who in a few years can win a Grand Slam,” Borg said.
McEnroe was taken aback by Borg’s decision to play top-ranked singles players, Djokovic and Federer, in the doubles.
“I did have an inkling they would play – I am surprised they would play the first day,” he said.
Matches are best of three with a 10-point tiebreaker played if sets are split. On Day 1 matches are worth one point each, Day 2 two points and Day 3 three points – with 13 points required to claim the Laver Cup 2018 trophy.
If one team is the outright winner after Match 9 is played on Sunday, an exhibition match will be played. If, however, the teams are locked at 12-12, a doubles set with a tiebreaker will be played to determine the overall winner.
Saturday’s lineup will be announced on Friday night, one hour after the conclusion of play. Sunday’s lineup will be announced on Saturday night, also one hour after the night session has concluded.
Each player will play at least one singles match during the first two days. No player will play singles more than twice during the event. At least four of the six players must play doubles. No doubles combination can be played more than once, unless for the doubles decider on Day 3, if points are tied at 12-12.
READ MORE ABOUT THE LAVER CUP’S COMPETITION RULES
At the inaugural event in Prague last year, Team Europe were the victors, defeating Team World in a close finish 15-9.
