“This is going to be one of the good years”: Team Europe’s collective ambition

The Laver Cup leaderboard will light up in blue when play kicks off on Friday, if Team Europe has it their way.

“Look at this team,” said Captain Bjorn Borg, beaming at his players. “This is going to be one of the good years.”

Even though Team World has a slew of in-form stars including Taylor Fritz, who reached his maiden US Open final few weeks ago, and Frances Tiafoe, who fell to Fritz in the semifinals, Borg said his guys have a “good chance” of clinching the title for a fifth time.

Interestingly, Team Europe is undefeated when Alexander Zverev, who is competing on home soil, has been named to the team.

“We all know what it takes to win the tournament, we all know what it takes to win big matches,” said Zverev, who has banked 18 points and amassed an 8-3 win-loss record from his four prior Laver Cup appearances. “We should enjoy having the best on our team,” said the powerful German, who is most familiar with his teammates when they’re competing as rivals.

“We want to beat each other … and now we are here as a team, and we have one goal and that’s to win the Laver Cup,” Zverev said. “It doesn’t matter who is on the court,” added the 27-year-old. “We, as a team, we all have full trust in that person.”

“I’m super excited,” said Carlos Alcaraz, who will make his debut in the day’s sole doubles match alongside Zverev as the duo aim to put a point on the board.

“I’ve watched it from the TV but it’s obviously a different feeling when you’re on the team,” said the Spaniard, who is hunting for additional silverware, having captured his first Roland Garros title, second Wimbledon crown and a silver medal in men’s singles at the Paris Olympics.

“[It] was a dream for me, I tried to recover mentally … to get ready for the next tournaments,” said the 21-year-old of his experience over the past months. “Right now, I’m good physically, I’m good mentally, I’m ready for what’s next.”

Alcaraz said it’s a privilege to spend time with Borg as well as Team World Captain John McEnroe and Rod Laver, the legend after whom the tournament is named.

“For me, to just try to learn from them so closely, and obviously here in the Laver Cup, I think it’s a really beautiful tournament that I’m gonna try to enjoy as much as I can,” he said. “I’m going to try to be the best partner, best player for my team.”

Daniil Medvedev, who has lost five of his seven career meetings against Alcaraz, said it’s unique that Team Europe players are aligned for one week.

“Usually … you don’t want them to win,” smiled the 28-year-old. “Here is like the only week where you are very relaxed, you want them only to win … Carlos, I just wish he plays like [he does] against me and we’re all good then we get some points and we’re all happy.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas, competing in his fourth Laver Cup, said the team event provides players with a chance to showcase a side of themselves that remains dormant for most of the year.

“We as tennis players, we are always representing ourselves, playing for ourselves,” mused the Greek star. “It’s a perfect match of having your ego, but also knowing how to combine it with the rest of the team.”

The 26-year-old has a 4-3 win-loss record at the competition, which Tsitsipas said he cherishes.

“It’s one of the few weeks that we get to support each other, usually we’re wishing we don’t get to play each other in any of the tournaments but here the plot changes, and I think that’s what makes it special,” said Tsitsipas. “It’s a week of the year that we truly have a lot of fun outside of the court but also in it, and we’re trying to take it all in.”

“We have had some really good memories together, and I’m hoping we can leave Berlin with some even greater ones, bigger ones, and we can [all] build something wonderful this week,” he said.

Casper Ruud, also competing in his fourth Laver Cup, is hungry to extend his unbeaten 3-0 record this weekend.

“I love playing for my captains and the fellow players,” said the right-hander. “Hoping to have a good Day 1 and get Europe ahead right away.”

Equally eager is Grigor Dimitrov, who is undefeated in singles competition at Laver Cup and at 33, is the oldest player on Team Europe.

“Every time I’m in that team environment, I think I light up even more,” said the Bulgarian. “To be able to contribute to the team is going to clearly be the ultimate goal.”