Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Murray team up for Laver Cup in September
by Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
French Open champion Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, former world No.1 Roger Federer and 2016 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will all make up Team Europe in the Laver Cup event.
The tourney scheduled to take place from September 23 – 25, a three-event, will have six players from Team Europe tackle six others from Team World in London.
While the event will be astonishing for fans and promoters of tennis sports to watch tennis rivals come under a fold to take on Felix
Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz, and Diego Schwartzman of Team World, it is, however, a unique event according to Djokovic who admitted that it is the only event that brings his tennis rivals together.
In January, the former world number one was refused access into Australia to compete in the Australian Open over his refusal to take the coronavirus vaccine but attained his 21st Grand Slam title on July 10 at the SW19 event.
“It’s the only [event] where you play in a team with guys you’re normally competing against,” Djokovic said.
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“To be joining Rafa, Roger and Andy, three of my biggest all-time rivals, it’s going to be a truly unique moment in the history of our sport,” he affirmed.
The Spaniard with a 22nd Grand Slam title, earned at Roland Garros, leads the Serbian who has 21 with Swiss Roger Federer on 20 and Andy Murray clinching 3.
British Broadcasting Corporation said that Team Europe will be captained by retired tennis star, Swedish Bjorn Borg while Team World will be captained by his long-time rival, John McEnroe.
Both players between November 1978 and April 1981 were known for their rivalry with the American and Borg sharing equal numbers of victories in the 14 times they met in regular tours.
“I don’t think I could have imagined having these four icons of the sport on one team together,” the Team Europe captain said.
The Swedish is optimistic that his side will take the day having paraded topmost stars in the contest.
“I know they, like I, appreciate the significance of this moment and will be truly up for it. Each year our goal is to win. With Rafa, Roger, Andy and Novak on the team, I like our chances,” Borg claimed.
The Trumpet reports that the 14 times Borg and McEnroe met in tours, the latter won 3 Grand Slams, 3 ATP International Series and 1 WCT Finals while the former won 1 Grand Slam, 4 ATP International Series, and 2 Masters Grand Prix.
