Victory was so close “we could taste it”: Team World reflects

Team World’s outgoing captain John McEnroe said achieving a three-peat at Laver Cup Berlin 2024 was so close “we could taste it.”

“We put ourselves in a position to do it, and that’s amazing,” said the American, giving kudos to the German fans at Uber Arena for creating an incredible atmosphere.

“I was just ready for the three-peat and [to] celebrate,” said McEnroe, admitting that he had confidently imagined the champagne already being placed in the Team World lounge as his side entered Day 3 with an 8-4 lead.

“I was, like, okay, here we are, I’m going out in three in a row,” he smiled.

“It was definitely an incredible weekend, we battled as hard as we possibly could,” said the 65-year-old. “We played with some energy, we played hard … loved every minute.”

McEnroe, who after seven years is passing the baton to Andre Agassi for Laver Cup San Francisco 2025, said accepting the role of captaincy was “the easiest job I ever had to accept.”

“Team events are extra special to me,” said the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.

A disappointed Frances Tiafoe, who led by a set and a break against Alexander Zverev and could have carried Team World to a third Laver Cup title, said the loss was tough to swallow.

“I gave everything I have,” said the world No.16. “I really thought I was in winning positions, thought I was the better player today,” he added, before acknowledging that his German rival raised his level in the match’s final moments and deserved the win.

Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, the only Team World debutant in Berlin, said he loved getting to know his teammates during the week.

“I have learned a lot this week,” said the left-hander, who helped earn two points in his doubles win with Ben Shelton on Saturday night. “I feel like [by] just watching them, I have improved a lot, and also, how much they know about tennis, they’re all where they are because of how good that they are and everything that they know, just the experience is unreal.”

Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was disappointed to lose his first match for Team World after warming the bench as an alternate in Prague 2017, said his teammates were inspiring to watch, and that the men in red delivered a week to remember, a sentiment that was echoed by Ben Shelton.

“All the guys made this week really, really special,” said the left-hander.

The chemistry and the vibes between the group is a big part of what makes Team World,” said its top-ranked player Taylor Fritz. “Every year, regardless [of the outcome], I think one thing that stays true is that…we’re having more fun at this event than the other team is.”