SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
Given his stellar Laver Cup record, Alexander Zverev’s inclusion in Team Europe’s 2025 campaign to retain the Laver Cup in San Francisco is no surprise.
A staple of every one of Europe’s five victories since the competition began in 2017, Zverev has delivered some of the Laver Cup’s most memorable moments, notably in Chicago 2018 and Geneva 2019, where he clinched the decisive matches that sealed victory for the blue team.
The Laver Cup holds a special place for the German star, ranked No.2, and a recent finalist at the Australian Open.
“I love the competition,” he said after Captain Yannick Noah announced Zverev as his second pick, joining teammate Carlos Alcaraz for the eighth edition of the Laver Cup at the Chase Center.
“I love being a part of it. Being together with some of the greatest players and being teammates with them, it’s very special.”
Since making his Laver Cup debut in Prague at 20 alongside tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Zverev has embraced the competition’s unique format and team camaraderie, thriving in high-pressure moments alongside traditional rivals on the tour. Reflecting on his standout battles, he points to his dramatic final-day victories over Kevin Anderson in Chicago and Milos Raonic in Geneva, both of which secured the title for Team Europe.
“I think those I will remember for the rest of my life because the whole team was watching,” he said, noting in particular the time in 2019 when both Federer and Nadal had given him “a little pep talk.”
“It is very special because you don’t want to disappoint your teammates. You don’t want to disappoint some of the best players in the world because, as Team Europe, you kind of feel like you almost have to win every year.”
Even last year in Berlin, where he represented Team Europe alongside Alcaraz in his home country, Zverev was called on to win a critical match on the final day against Team World’s Frances Tiafoe to save his side from defeat. “I was down a set and break to Francis,” recalled Zverev, who was feeling unwell at the time but determined help his team to victory in Captain Bjorn Borg’s last year at the helm.
“And then Daniil (Medvedev) actually gave me some very good coaching advice. I have to give a lot of credit to Daniil. He did a great job coaching me in that moment.” Zverev went on to win Match 11 in a thrilling 10-point tiebreaker, also referred to as a Laver Breaker, 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5, taking his overall Laver Cup singles win-loss record to 7-2. His Berlin heroics enabled Alcaraz to come in for the final singles match against Taylor Fritz and win back the Cup for Team Europe, having lost in London 2022 and Vancouver 2023 to the John McEnroe-led Team World.
“In Carlos we had full confidence in the way he was playing that weekend,” recalled 27-year-old Zverev. “And he was playing amazing tennis just in general. We kind of knew that the most important match and the most dangerous match was mine against Francis because I was not feeling 100%.”
“I knew that it was so important to come out and somehow win that match and give Carlos the chance to win.”
The challenge of San Francisco
With the 2025 edition on the horizon, Zverev is eager to help extend Team Europe’s winning legacy. This year’s Laver Cup marks the tournament’s first visit to San Francisco at the state-of-the-art Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
“Massive arena, but also the history of the Golden State Warriors playing there. Steph Curry, all those guys. It’s great to be inside a stadium to be able to witness the atmosphere,” said Zverev, who played in NBA arenas in Chicago and Boston during previous Laver Cups.
“I’ve never been to San Francisco,” he revealed. “I love it, I really do. I love the competition. I think it’s great fun. I mean, we’re playing in the most beautiful cities, the most beautiful stadiums around the world, historic stadiums. So, I’m looking forward to this year as well.”
Team Europe’s Strength in Depth
With Alcaraz already confirmed as the first player on Team Europe’s six-man roster, Zverev’s addition solidifies a powerful foundation.
“We do have so many great players from Europe,” said Zverev, who got to know Noah in Berlin last year. “Carlos being the first pick, that’s a no-brainer. I’m very happy that I’m part of it as well. I think Yannick will do a great job. I’m very glad that he picked me.”
Player qualification
Under Laver Cup rules, the three highest-ranked players from each region, based on their PIF ATP Singles Ranking as of the Monday following Roland-Garros, receive an automatic invitation to represent Team Europe or Team World. If any player is announced before the qualification date, the respective team Captain commits to using a Captain’s pick on any or all of them if they do not qualify based on ranking. Learn more: Laver Cup Explained
