SEPT 25 - 27, 2026 | LONDON
With six weeks until Laver Cup London 2026, the race towards The O2 enters an important phase. While the teams are now complete, the ATP Tour moves to North America, where Washington, Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open will provide the clearest indication yet of which players are carrying momentum into September.
There were encouraging signs for Team World in Washington, where America’s top-ranked Taylor Fritz returned to winning ways. Competing in his first tournament since Wimbledon after managing knee tendonitis earlier in the season, Fritz captured his 11th ATP Tour title with a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over Team Europe debutant Rafael Jodar in the final.
The triumph marked Fritz’s first ATP 500 title in almost four years and suggested the World No.89 is rediscovering the form that carried him to the US Open final in 2024 … and decisive wins at Laver Cup in San Francisco last year, contributing to Team World’s third title.
“It was just relief, like thank God, I got it done,” Fritz said of the windy conditions. “It wasn’t so much as like a celebration, just thank God I’m done. I can just lay down for a second.
“There was a lot of errors and mistakes early on, but I did a great job of just serving well the whole first set.”
He also complimented his 19-year-old opponent on his performance in Washington, and for much of 2026.
“You are so young, you are only going to get so much better,” Fritz said.
Jodar’s rising star
For Jodar, defeat did little to overshadow another outstanding week. The exciting young Spaniard has been one of the revelations of the season. Beginning the year ranked No.165, he climbed to No.15 after claiming his maiden ATP title in Marrakech, posting strong results on European clay and continuing his rise on hard courts in Washington.
His run to the final included impressive comeback victories over fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti and Alejandro Tabilo, further reinforcing Team Europe Captain Yannick Noah’s decision to select Jodar for his first Laver Cup campaign.
World view
The Washington title also strengthened Team World’s confidence as Andre Agassi’s squad prepares for the final stretch of the season. Alongside Fritz, No.7-ranked Alex de Minaur, No.10 Ben Shelton, No. 19 Learner Tien and No.21 Tommy Paul all featured in Washington. At the same time, No.11 Alexander Bublik remained in Europe to defend his title in Kitzbuhel, reaching another final on clay. There was also cause for celebration away from the court, with both De Minaur and Paul arriving after recent weddings to Katie Boulter and Paige Lorenze, respectively.
Attention now shifts to the ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal, where many of the Laver Cup players continue their seasons. Leading the field is Team Europe’s Alexander Zverev, who arrives as the tournament’s top seed.
The reigning Roland-Garros champion and Wimbledon runner-up has built much of his success on hard courts. Fifteen of his 25 career titles have come on the surface, including the Canadian Masters crown in 2017. The same breakthrough season saw him make his Laver Cup debut alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Prague at the inaugural edition.
Hungry to add to that tally, the German has made no secret of his ultimate ambition: the top ranking. “That’s definitely a goal of mine,” Zverev said. “I think still playing the best tennis possible should always be the number one goal because then the results will follow. Winning tournaments will follow. Rankings will follow.”
Joining Zverev in Montreal are fellow Team Europe players No.9 Flavio Cobolli, No.14 Casper Ruud, No. 17 Jakub Mensik and Jodar, while No.2 Carlos Alcaraz is expected to return to competition at the US Open later this month. By the time the last major for the year concludes, Noah and Agassi will know far more than rankings alone can reveal. The next six weeks are about building rhythm, confidence, and belief – the qualities that have so often proved decisive at Laver Cup, when individual success gives way to the pursuit of a team victory.
