Noah’s way: Keeping Team Europe Connected

Team Europe captain Yannick Noah stepped onto the Laver Cup’s newly laid black court at London’s O2 on Tuesday to chat with his rival Andre Agassi, captain of Team World, holder of eight majors and, as of last year, winner of his first Laver Cup in San Francisco.

For Noah, this year feels different. He is back with the home-ground advantage, leading a team that closely resembles last year’s lineup, with Spain’s Rafael Jodar the only newcomer.

First, he is playing at ‘home’ in front of a pro-European host city. He is closer to his players and has interacted with them throughout the year. Then there is motivation. The charismatic Frenchman, who captured his home major at Roland-Garros in 1983, does not want to taste defeat again on the Laver Cup stage. Especially not this year.

“I don’t want to get used to losing to Andre,” Noah said, sitting close to the American great with the Laver Cup trophy glistening on a plinth between them.

“That’s not something that I want to get used to. It’s not that beautiful.” Relaxed, quietly spoken and as charming as ever, Noah divulged a little-known secret.

“Last time, I felt it was a good idea to let them win in America. And now we are in Europe, so it’s our turn.”

Noah’s humor is part of what he brings to the captain’s role, but so too is a deep understanding of his players and the pressures of Laver Cup.

As well as selecting the lineup for each day with vice-captain Tim Henman, deciding on doubles pairings, training with players, attending team dinners and supporting players from the captain’s chair throughout three days and nights of competition, Noah brings a special magic to his role.

“It just seems like he has this kind of aura around him, which is a little bit hard to explain,” said veteran Team Europe player Casper Ruud in San Francisco last year.

“He brings something with him everywhere he goes, whether he’s joking around and dancing and singing in the locker room or we’re talking about tennis or talking about old matches of his. He really just spreads good energy and chemistry on the team.”

As Ruud pointed out, Noah also knows tennis. “He’s played. He’s open to say that sometimes in practice, wow, the game has really developed.”

Noah, circa 2026, describes himself as a player from the ‘80s. “I’m used to play the last century,” he smiles. What he offers his young team is perspective. That perspective is perhaps Noah’s most valuable contribution to a generation of players who have grown up in a very different era of professional tennis.

“Now there’s like this new player’s modern-day process. It’s very simple, you know, they are very locked in, very professional, they love the game.

“We hear a lot about the pressure, the stress, a lot about the money. But we forget something that is essential; we love this game. We love tennis. This is the only reason why we’re here, because we love the game.”

Since losing 9-15 to Team World in his first year leading Team Europe, Noah has strengthened his friendship with his players, calling them throughout the year to congratulate them on match results, or to ask after a particular injury.

“We have this connection, which, for me, is the most important of all,” he said. “Most of them come with their group, and their family, and their crew, their trainers. It’s great to be part of it and just try to keep this friendship alive.”

Team Europe has won the Laver Cup five out of eight times since the competition began in Prague in 2017. This year’s Team Europe lineup features seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, Roland-Garros and US Open champion Alexander Zverev, five-time Laver Cup competitor Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Top 10 Italian Flavio Cobolli and debutant Jodar.

For Noah, the role is about more than tactics, matchups or the decisions made from the captain’s chair. It is about helping his players navigate the pressure of elite sport while reminding them why they chose it in the first place.

“Sometimes you have to remind them that, when the pressure is too heavy, when life is too hard, that we are lucky people. I’m grateful to just sit here.”

With Team Europe seeking to reclaim the trophy at The O2, Noah will bring experience, humor and a deep connection with his players to the challenge. And, if Tuesday’s exchange with Agassi is any indication, he will do it with a smile, but with victory firmly in mind.