Why Roger Federer says this week at Laver Cup is ‘bittersweet’ | ATP Tour

Laver Cup

Why Federer says this week at Laver Cup is ‘bittersweet’

Federer started the Laver Cup tournament in 2017

September 19, 2024

For the seventh and final time, legends Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will face off as captains of Team Europe and Team World, respectively, at the Laver Cup in Berlin. The event, which begins Friday, marks the end of an era.

The Laver Cup, founded in 2017 by former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Roger Federer, has seen Borg lead Team Europe and McEnroe Team World since the event’s inception.

“For me it’s very much a bittersweet week with Bjorn and John because I would love them to be captains forever,” Federer said. “At the same time, we’ve got to move with the times, I guess.”

Despite the end of their captaincies, Federer expressed deep gratitude for their contributions to the tournament.

“It was supposed to be three years, four or two, and it ended up being seven,” Federer said. “It’s been seven great years. Couldn’t have had better captains, to be honest.”

The two will be replaced by Yannick Noah, who will captain Team Europe, and Andre Agassi, who will step in for Team World.

“Of course, in the future I hope that Bjorn and John will return and pass on the torch… to Yannick and Andre, that they will always be friends and guests as captains of the inaugural event,” Federer said.

Team Europe won the first four editions of the Laver Cup, and Team World has triumphed in back-to-back years. John McEnroe and Team World will aim for its third straight victory over the three-day competition.

“The weather is supposed to be really beautiful,” Federer said. “Okay we’re playing indoors, but still when you go out, it’s nice. So yeah, I think coming to Berlin for the Laver Cup is very fun. Looking forward to a great week.”