SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
The seventh edition of the Laver Cup at Berlin’s Uber Arena delivered unforgettable drama, with Team Europe claiming their fifth victory after a thrilling comeback on Sunday. Whether watching from afar or experiencing the action live, fans were treated to many remarkable moments both on and off the court. Here are some standout memories that left a lasting impression in 2024.
Stepping out in style
The traditional Laver Cup photoshoot took place at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate. Team Europe and Team World teammates stepped out in style as amazed tourists and tennis fans flocked to the historic location, eager to get close to the tennis stars of Laver Cup 2024. The Laver Cup Gala brought black-tie elegance to the eve of competition, with players pairing sleek formalwear with Oliver Peoples shades.
Seizing the momentum
Francisco Cerundolo made history as the first South American to win multiple matches for Team World, securing a vital opening point against Casper Ruud. The Norwegian, boasting a flawless 3-0 singles record in Laver Cup matches ahead of Berlin, looked dominant through the first six games. However, Cerundolo shifted the momentum by finding the baseline consistency that had initially eluded him, turning the tide in his favor. “Tennis is like this!” Cerundolo beamed. “There’s a lot of momentum; it can suddenly change, so you have to feel out the match.”
New doubles combinations
Having now faced each other 11 times on the pro tour, fans were thrilled to see Team Europe’s newest member, Carlos Alcaraz, join forces with local favorite and Laver Cup stalwart Alexander Zverev on Friday night. The pairing offered Carlitos a chance to learn from Sasha and adapt to the intense Laver Cup atmosphere. They fell to the exciting the new duo of Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, with Fritz making his first-ever Laver Cup doubles appearance in his fourth campaign. Three-time major finalist Casper Ruud was both surprised and thrilled when Alcaraz suggested teaming up for Sunday’s doubles. With his confidence boosted, Ruud rose to the occasion, helping Team Europe secure a key win against Team World’s seasoned duo, Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
A Bulgarian blockbuster
Grigor Dimitrov delivered under pressure, edging out Laver Cup newcomer Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(4), 7-6(2) in one of the most thrilling matches in the event’s seven-year history. The Friday night battle lasted over two hours and 15 minutes, featuring two electrifying tiebreakers packed with highlight-reel moments. Dimitrov, with his trademark flair, captivated the crowd with breathtaking rallies, while earning admiration from Team World’s Tabilo. “Grigor covers the court so well, you feel like you have to hit an extra shot,” Tabilo remarked.
Practice makes PeRFect
You never know who might appear at a Laver Cup practice session. Alcaraz was thrilled to run catch up with legendary 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer during training. Surprised fans watching from the free-to-access Practice Courts also got to witness the encounter, making the experience even more unforgettable.
Team camaraderie
A viral video of Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov sharing an emotional embrace during the nail-biting Medvedev-Tiafoe clash on Sunday set off a meme-fest among tennis fans. The clip, showcasing their heartfelt camaraderie on the Team Europe bench, captured the spirit of the Laver Cup. Alcaraz, known for his animated support, lived every point from the sidelines, fervently cheering on his teammates with unabashed charm.
Listening in on team strategy
Fans tuning into the Laver Cup from home were treated to exclusive coaching insights through the innovative Bench Cam. During a high-octane singles match on Saturday, John McEnroe offered rising star Ben Shelton some candid advice: “I believe you’re gonna be top 5 in the world … but you’ve gotta be disciplined on every shot.” Shelton, locked in a fierce battle against Carlos Alcaraz, later praised the Spaniard’s formidable skill set, remarking: “One of the things about the top guys is that the better you play and the better you hit the ball, they actually hit the ball better as well.”
A tall order
Former basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki stepped out of his front-row seat at Uber Arena to toss the coin for Match 7 on Saturday. Thrilled to see the Laver Cup in his home country, the 7’0” German legend towered over combatants Fritz and Zverev, standing 6’5” and 6’6” respectively, and among the tallest players in tennis.
A salty tradition continues
Daniil Medvedev pulled out the Salt Bae celebration after executing a phenomenal drop shot winner in his singles against Tiafoe on Saturday. Tiafoe quickly responded with his own version of the light-hearted gesture, first introduced to Laver Cup competition by Team World’s South American, Francisco Cerundolo.
Zverev’s amazing comeback
Home favorite Alexander Zverev staged a remarkable comeback in Match 11 on Sunday, rallying from a set and a break down against Frances Tiafoe to keep Team Europe’s hopes alive. Despite battling a chest infection, the determined German refused to let his teammates down, securing a hard-fought 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5 victory to claim three crucial points and force Laver Cup Berlin into a decisive final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz.
“It was a win-or-die tie for us, and I knew I had to put all my energy and effort in, and the team helped me so much with a lot of great coaching,” said the world No.2. “The stadium was unbelievable, one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in.” The 27-year-old’s heroics extended his Laver Cup singles record to an impressive 7-2, a testament to his consistency across five appearances since the competition’s debut in Prague in 2017.
Captains bid adieu
The rivalry between outgoing Laver Cup captains Bjorn Borg (Team Europe) and John McEnroe (Team World) reached new heights in Berlin, fueled by the determination of every player to secure victory for their iconic leaders. McEnroe aimed to cap his tenure with a three-peat, while Borg felt confident in his “loaded” lineup – until Sunday arrived, with Team Europe trailing 4-8. “At the start of today, I wasn’t sure we had much chance to win,” a relieved Borg confessed after his team’s dramatic 13-11 comeback victory. “What these guys delivered is very impressive, especially Sascha [Zverev] and Carlitos [Alcaraz]. They faced immense pressure in the final two matches and played incredibly well.”
