
(September 19, 2018) CHICAGO – Team World and Team Europe took the stage in Downtown Chicago at Pritzker Pavilion to officially welcome Laver Cup 2018 to Chicago on Wednesday. This is the second year of Laver Cup, the first year was last year in Prague at the O2 Arena.
Led by Team World Captain John McEnroe and Team Europe Captain Bjorn Borg, the teams werer introduced to the fans in attendance. At the center of it all is the man, the legend that the Laver Cup is named after – Rod Laver took enter stage. Laver won the grand slam in both 1062 and 1969.
“I’m honored that my name is associated with this trophy,” Laver said to the audience. “It’s also a thrill to have the Laver Cup here in Chicago. You’ll see some wonderful tennis and a lot of camaraderie.”
Team Europe will try to defend their title from last year, lead by 20-time major champion Roger Federer once again joined by Alexander Zverev, and Laver Cup rookies Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, Kyle Edmund and 14-time major winner Novak Djokovic.
“At Laver Cup we’re a team. That’s exciting and something we’re not used to,” Federer said. “To be on the same team as these legends – and legends in the making – and to spend a week getting to know these guys, is a wonderful way to celebrate tennis.”
Team world will consist of John Isner, Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios, with Kevin Anderson and Diego Schwartzman the new members to Team World.
“I’m very much looking forward to coaching this team,” said McEnroe, sitting next to Vice-Captain and brother Patrick.
“We’re excited about getting the home-court advantage, hopefully, in Chicago. It’s a great sports town and we’re looking forward to showcasing our talents here this weekend.”
The Laver Cup is a three-day tournament pitting a team of six of the best tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world.
Björn Borg is captain of Team Europe and John McEnroe is captain of Team World
Thomas Enqvist and Patrick McEnroe are vice captains of Team Europe and Team World
The tournament is named in honor of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the only man to win two calendar-year Grand Slams, and one of the greatest players of all time.
The unique format of the tournament showcases tennis superstars competing on the same team, playing singles, pairing up in doubles and cheering each other from the sidelines.
The inaugural Laver Cup was held at the O2 arena in Prague, Czech Republic, from September 22-24, 2017, with Team Europe defeating Team World 15-9.
The location will rotate between major cities in Europe and the rest of the world each year.
The 2018 edition of the Laver Cup will take place at the United Center in Chicago, United States, from September 21-23, 2018. In 2019 the Laver Cup will be staged in Geneva, Switzerland.