SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
Tim Henman OBE is no stranger to Laver Cup competition.
The former British No.1 first experienced the Laver Cup in person at London’s O2 Arena in 2022, a momentous occasion where Team World captured its first title, Roger Federer bid an emotional farewell to professional tennis, and legends like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray stood together on the same team.
Henman, one the most successful and feted British players in the Open Era, attended the Laver Cup as a television commentator. “I think my expectations were pretty high going into the event, but it absolutely superseded that,” he recalled. Henman was blown away by the intensity of competition and the quality of players representing Team Europe and Team World.
“They’re just going at it head-to-head,” he said. “The passion on the court … you just can’t fake that. To see the level of tennis and what it meant to both teams, I was sold very early on.”
Now, Henman takes on a new role as Team Europe’s Vice Captain, following in the footsteps of Thomas Enqvist. He will work closely with newly appointed Captain Yannick Noah, who steps in after Bjorn Borg’s legendary seven-year tenure, during which Team Europe claimed five Laver Cup titles.
Great expectations
With a fresh era of leadership comes high expectations, but Henman is confident in Team Europe’s ability to rise to the challenge. The team has already secured No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz – two key players who helped reclaim the title in Berlin last year.
As Laver Cup 2025 heads to San Francisco’s Chase Center from September 19-21, Henman and Noah will look to assemble a formidable six-man squad to defend the crown. With world-class talent and a new coaching dynamic, all eyes will be on Team Europe as they prepare for battle against a determined Team World.
“It’s about giving them the platform, the opportunity to prepare properly,” said Henman, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 during his 14-year career on tour, capturing 11 singles titles and earning a silver medal in doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
“There’ll definitely be a lot of preparation to make sure that we’re ready and raring to go.”
Although Noah and Henman’s playing careers did not overlap, the Englishman holds deep respect for Noah’s influence on European tennis. As the last Frenchman to win a Grand Slam, Noah “was an incredible athlete” and, like Henman, a skilled serve-and-volleyer.
“It’s inevitable that I’ll learn from him,” said Henman. “I’m excited to get to know him, to spend time with him on the court with the other players so that we can prepare in the best possible way.”
Henman’s approach
Henman will be making his first visit to San Francisco and plans to approach his new role by understanding each player’s individual needs. Between now and September, his focus will shift from his usual role as a broadcaster to also closely monitoring Team Europe’s six-man lineup – and potential alternates-with a more strategic lens.
“I think it’s really important to try and understand the individual,” he said. “I’ll be looking at the way that players practice, the way they prepare and then also the way they play on court,” he said. “When you talk about the match up against a very strong Team World, it’s going to be small margins. It’s about getting the absolute very best out of each individual player.
“When you’ve got Alcaraz and Zverev as a starting point, they’re two phenomenal players. They play extremely well indoors. They’ve got huge games. It’s really important to make sure that they play the way they want to play, the way that they’re capable of playing.”
Henman calls the Laver Cup “an incredible version of the Ryder Cup in golf” and has deep admiration for Australian legend Rod Laver, the only player to achieve the calendar-year Grand Slam twice – first as an amateur in 1962 and again in 1969 after the sport entered the Open Era. With the tournament named in Laver’s honor, Henman feels especially privileged to play a role in the competition.
“When you look back at what he achieved, the way that he competed, the way that he behaved, his sportsmanship … it was very special,” said the Englishman. “To have him as the leader of this event, it’s just so special. His legacy will live on forever in this sport.”
