Shelton is Going to Be a Super Star

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Photo credit: Rolex for Laver Cup

John McEnroe is aiming for a winning farewell.

The Team World captain and buddy Bjorn Borg, Team Europe captain, are both patrolling the sidelines for the final time at this weekend’s Laver Cup Berlin. 

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Hall of Famer McEnroe points to a pair of American powerhouses—US Open finalist Taylor Fritz and 2023 US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton—as two reasons why he’s optimistic Team World can three-peat as Laver Cup champions.

We have some guys that are hot,” McEnroe told the media in Berlin. “Taylor [Fritz], first time he got to a US Open final, that’s huge for an American,” McEnroe said. “Ben Shelton is going to be a superstar I believe, but they are also playing superstars already.”

Indeed, Team Europe boasts a loaded lineup that includes reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Grigor Dimitrov, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.

“I love Carlos,” McEnroe said. “I have to admit: I hope he plays terribly this weekend.

“He’s the biggest breath of fresh air we’ve had in the sport in ten years.”

Andre Agassi will succeed McEnroe as Team World captain and Yannik Noah will step in for Borg as Team Europe captain starting next year. McEnroe said Team World is in good hands with the analytical Agassi heading the squad.

“Andre is going to do a great job,” McEnroe said of Agassi. “I played him when he was 16 or 17, he had that personality, and you just knew something big was going to happen.

“He has that special quality that people love. He’s probably more analytic-driven than I am…players are going to love him as well. It’s going to be fun to watch from more of a distance the next couple of years.”