Written by Alberto Amalfi | @Itenisi_Manje | Monday, August 19, 2024
Frances Tiafoe will launch a major project next month.
Help the World Team win three times as Laver Cup champions.
Final Focus: Cincinnati Photo Gallery by Matthew Calvis
Cincinnati Open finalist Tiafoe and No. 22 Chile Alejandro Tabilo are scheduled to represent the World Team in the seventh edition of the Laver Cup, which will be held at the Uber Arena in Berlin, from September 20-22, 2024.
Tiafoe and Tabilo complete the World Team schedule. They join the world No.10 Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton again Tommy Paul to Captain John McEnroe the group.
Since competing with the World Team in the inaugural Laver Cup 2017 in Prague, Tiafoe has made his mark at the highest level on the tour and at the Laver Cup. He reached the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open after defeating four-time champion Rafael Nadal, becoming the first American to do so since Andy Roddick in 2006.
Tiafoe made history when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to record the first Laver Cup for Team World in London 2022.
Before that win, Tiafoe and partner Jack Sock joined forces to defeat Nadal and Roger Federer in Federer’s final professional match at the Laver Cup doubles.
“I’m excited to be back on Team World and I’m looking forward to another great week with my teammates and Johnny Mac,” said Tiafoe. “Third win in a row with a goal!”
This will be Tiafoe’s fifth time playing in the Laver Cup, a record he will share with Alexander Zverev.
“I’m very happy with Frances’ return to the team in Berlin,” World Team Captain John McEnroe said. “He has proven that he can stand up to the best players in the world. His strength and speed make him a threat in both singles and doubles, giving us many options.
“He’s a great person and brings a lot of joy to the team, whether he’s on the pitch or on the bench.”
The first Laver Cup Alejandro Tabilo won his first ATP Tour title in Auckland in January, dropping one set in six games to become the first Chilean to win a hard-court title since Fernando Gonzalez in 2007.
Tabilo scored a major upset on clay at the ATP Masters in Rome, defeating the world No.1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets in his run to the semifinals where he stretched eventual champion Alexander Zverev to three sets. In July he broke into the top 20 for the first time after winning his first title in Mallorca.
“Tabilo has shown that he can beat the best players in the game in all areas this year. He should inject new energy into an experienced and successful team,” said McEnroe.
“It is a great honor to represent Team World in Berlin and I thank Captain McEnroe for appointing me,” said Tabilo. “I will play any role I can, on and off the field, to contribute to the win.”
European team captain Bjorn Borg he put together a strong team to bring the Laver Cup back into European hands, making a name for himself Casper Ruud again Stefanos Tsitsipas joining the 22-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael NadalRoland Garros and Wimbledon 2024 champion Carlos AlcarazRoland Garros winner Zverev and former world No. 1 Daniel Medvedev.
The European team won the first four editions of the Laver Cup in Prague (2017), Chicago (2018), Geneva (2019) and Boston (2021). The World Team is looking for a third consecutive title having won in London (2022) and Vancouver (2023).
Tickets for this year’s Laver Cup in Berlin are on sale at the Laver Cup Ticket Shop managed by CTS EVENTIM, lavercup.com/tickets.
