Defeated in Vancouver, Team Europe Set Sights on Berlin

After being forced to swallow the bitter taste of defeat in Vancouver, Team Europe is counting down the days until they can recapture the Laver Cup in Berlin 2024.

“We will definitely bring back the Cup,” Captain Bjorn Borg said. “It’s going to stay in Europe next year.”

“It’s going to be completely different, it’s our home court,” said the former world No. 1, adding that he’ll once again lead his side in Berlin. “We look forward to that.”

Norway’s Casper Ruud, who banked Team Europe’s only points of the weekend with his straight sets win over Tommy Paul, is already thinking about Germany.

“We’re going to be eager,” smiled the right-handed world No. 9.

“I hope I can be back on the team next year for Berlin and that we can fight well.”

Borg gave longtime rival John McEnroe and his team credit for their impeccable level on the black court at Rogers Arena, which led to a dominant 13-2 scoreline.

“We gave 100% [but] Team World played unbelievable tennis,” said Borg. We are all very disappointed, because we never expect to lose [by] this much.”

Vice Captain Thomas Enqvist complimented the dynamism of his six-player squad.

“Bjorn and I are very, very proud of this group. I think really from the beginning they came together and showed true Laver Cup spirit, which is about coming together even if they are usually competitors on a daily basis on the tour.”

“On the court, even when things didn’t go our way, they kept up the energy,” he added.

“This is sport. Sometimes you need to admit that the opponent was a little bit better, and they were,” said Enqvist. “Looking forward to Berlin,” he smiled.

Laver Cup debutant Hubert Hurkacz said the week provided a great opportunity to learn from Borg, Enqvist and his teammates.

“Getting together with the guys that usually we play against was a super cool experience and was really amazing to support each other,” said the Pole. They say pretty much everything. You know, it was just, for me, a different event that, you know, I haven’t played for this long time. It was quite cool.”

Gael Monfils, another debutant, was wowed by the fitness of his younger peers on Team Europe, as well as those on Team World. 

“I was amazed with the fitness of those guys,” said the Frenchman. “It’s a great event.”