SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg are prepared for another epic contest if Team Europe are to win the Laver Cup for a third time in Geneva.
With home advantage and a line-up packed with talent and titles, there is every reason to see Europe as favorites once again.
Federer and Rafael Nadal share 39 Grand Slam singles titles between them, while Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Fabio Fognini are all inside the world’s top 11.
“The problem is we’re playing indoors, best of three, super tiebreaker in the third, and we’re playing against big servers who like the indoors and all have a big forehand.
However, after the first two dramatic Laver Cup instalments in 2017 and 2018, Federer expects a similarly testing three days at Palexpo.
“We have incredible depth,” said Federer.
“So there you have it. As much as we’re the favorites, I do think it’s going to be extremely tight.
I’m looking forward to Friday when the first ball is going to be hit – Bjorn Borg
“They’re really good at doubles – Jack (Sock) is one of the world’s best doubles players, if not the absolute best right now – and we know how hard it’s going to be.
“But I’m so pumped that everybody’s here, everybody seems excited, and everybody’s basically ready to go.”
Team Europe Captain Borg is also prepared for another tense time on the sidelines.
“It’s going to be a nerve-wracking competition but I hope anyway that we’re going to try and defend our titles,” said the Swede.
“I’m just happy that Laver Cup has started. We got the team together and everybody is ready to play.
“I’m looking forward to Friday when the first ball is going to be hit.
“It’s going to be a very exciting match. Team World has a strong team. In the previous years it’s been two very close matches and I think it’s going to be another close match this year.”
One thing Team Europe can rely on is fervent home support from the Swiss crowd.
“I’m very proud to be playing in Switzerland,” said Federer, “very proud to represent Team Europe here at the Laver Cup, and also having played maybe a little part in bringing it to Geneva.”
