SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
With Team Europe Captain Bjorn Borg and Team World Captain John McEnroe set to conclude their legendary tenures in September, one thing is clear: the upcoming contest in Berlin will be a fascinating showdown between two exceptional teams who know what it takes to capture the Laver Cup. Renowned commentator and 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion Todd Woodbridge looks ahead to the seventh edition of the Laver Cup, a competition he has covered since its inception in 2017.
Predicting a winner at Laver Cup Berlin 2024 is no easy task. The unique format of the competition, with its escalating points structure and clever blend of singles and doubles across three days, has ensured that strategy and teamwork are the ultimate determinants of victory. The competitive spirit in this event runs high. Champions at the first four installments of the Laver Cup in Prague, Chicago, Geneva and Boston, Team Europe is eager to reclaim its former glory after back-to-back losses. They have a team of outstanding players, but we have learned that rankings can go out the door at the Laver Cup as rivals become teammates and bond over one goal.
Team World, long regarded as the underdogs, have proven their mettle. Despite being lower ranked in the early years, they pushed Europe to the brink before finally breaking through with victories in London (2022) and Vancouver (2023). This is a critical year for Europe to turn it around.
The X Factor
Singles accounts for the majority of points at Laver Cup but the doubles changes momentum. This becomes a critical factor when the Captains start planning who will play on what day and how those matchups will take shape. Doubles has been a Team World strength all along, and again in Berlin McEnroe will have combinations that can be mixed freely and easily. The most natural combination for Team Europe is Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who played together at the Olympics. That’s an obvious pairing that people will want to see again, and it will be a key match for Europe to win. Another potential pairing is Nadal with Casper Ruud, teammates at Bastad in July.
A Game of Strategy
One of the great aspects of the Laver Cup is the unpredictability of who will play who. In terms of making those selections, it’s so important that you get off to a good start. The first match sets the tone and the momentum. Given previous years, that’s where a huge amount of pressure would fall on, potentially, a newcomer like Alejandro Tabilo, as it did with Ben Shelton in Vancouver. Ben absolutely thrived in the big stage setting of Laver Cup and won three matches for Team World, a phenomenal debut. We’ve seen Ruud open for Team Europe in Boston and London and win, one of Borg’s highest-ranked options in those years. Then you’ve got to work out which singles players will play on Day 2 and who the likely matchups will be. That’s where the experience of the Captains plays a part.
Making a debut
While he’s the team rookie, four-time major winner Alcaraz is a key factor in Team Europe winning the Cup back. He will come into the Laver Cup fresh and eager to impress his teammates, no doubt blending into the blue side with his engaging personality. Team World newcomer Tabilo is also keen to score points for the defending champions, and the popular Chilean brings form in singles and doubles after a career-best season.
Team leaders
Aside from the Captains and Vice Captains, team leaders typically emerge from the playing group to help push the team forward. Team Europe’s Daniil Medvedev has an excellent understanding of where everybody is within their form, and their mental and physical state. It’s one of the reasons his consistency over the past five years has been so strong and why he always finds himself in at least one major final. Roger Federer and Nadal nurtured Zverev in the first few years of the competition. The German understands the Laver Cup, having starred in four winning teams. Nadal is ever-present, whether competing, cheering, or coaching from the sidelines; he has earned the respect of players from both sides of the court.
For Team World, Taylor Fritz is a great student of the game and returns to the Laver Cup having just reached the final of his first Grand Slam at the US Open. Fritz has been a standout player for John McEnroe’s team and played a key role in their title run at Laver Cup London and Vancouver. He won’t hold back on strategy discussions.
Team veterans
Aside from newcomers Alcaraz and Tabilo, both teams feature players who have represented at Laver Cup multiple times and know how fast and furious the competition unfolds, notably the great Nadal who is returning for a fourth time with Team Europe. Zverev will be competing in his fifth Laver Cup in Berlin, as will US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe. They both thrive in the unique high-stakes, rollercoaster atmosphere of Laver Cup, which doesn’t allow players to lose concentration, surrounded as they are by the Captains and playing group.
Who wins?
This edition presents an evenly balanced lineup. If this were only a singles event, it would favor Team Europe on rankings. However, Team World players have had a solid year and because of the format, it creates a 50/50 proposition. Borg and McEnroe’s captainship drives home what this competition is about. Laver Cup Berlin marks their last time in the hot seat, and those guys want to win.
