Inside Team World: Ready to paint the town red

Team World Captain John McEnroe believes his players can secure the three wins necessary to lift the Laver Cup on Sunday.

With Team Europe leading 7-5, World has to win at least three matches if they want to have a chance to lift the trophy.  

The red team were handed a boost on Saturday evening when Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock won the Day 2 doubles against Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas to keep World in touch.

Sock and John Isner will attempt to put Team World in front when they play Nadal and Roger Federer in Sunday’s opening doubles contest.

“Well, we have been here before. We need to win three out of four,” said McEnroe. 

“That was big (Saturday’s doubles win), I think, because we would have had to win three and the doubles, so I think we get some momentum.

I feel like this is the ultimate event. You’re playing for Europe and playing for the rest of the World – Nick Kyrgios

“We start with the doubles and hopefully we get a win there and it’s two out of three, and it’s a different story.

“We are excited. You know, we’re not exactly where we want to be, but we’re still in a reasonably good place.” 

One man who will be giving it his all is Kyrgios. The Australian loves this event and never seems more motivated than when he is teaming up with some of the best players in the world, attempting to defeat Team Europe in the Laver Cup. 

The Australian proved it again on Saturday. Like a man on a mission, he gave it his all on the black court alongside friend and teammate Sock to knock over Tsitsipas and Nadal in a gripping doubles. 

“The Laver Cup is the week I look forward to out of the whole year. Especially playing with Jack, he had some tough injuries, and to come back, to put on a performance in singles and not only be our best doubles player is amazing,” said Kyrgios.

He was also on fire earlier in the day as he nearly upset the 17,200 spectators at Palexpo Arena, leading by a set and 5-4 against local hero Federer before losing in the match tiebreaker.

Kyrgios will face Nadal in another huge test in Sunday’s second match.  

“I feel like this is the ultimate event. You’re playing for Europe and playing for the rest of the World,” added Kyrgios.

“I’m just out there trying to do what’s best for my team. If that’s me watching them play, standing out there for practice, I’m going to do whatever they need.”