Team Europe won the Laver Cup for another year, sealing a 13 to 5 victory over Team World at The O2 in London. Alexander Zverev provided the clinching point, beating the American Learner Tien 7-6(3), 6-3 in front of a home crowd. The result continued Europe’s strong record in the team competition, which pits a side drawn from the continent against a team representing the rest of the world across three days of play.
Europe fielded a lineup led by Carlos Alcaraz, with Zverev, Casper Ruud and the young Spaniard Rafael Jodar among the names on court over the weekend. Team World countered with Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Tien and Brandon Nakashima. The scoring system, which awards more points as the weekend progresses, kept the contest alive into Sunday even as Europe built a commanding lead over the opening two days of the event.
For Zverev, the win carried a personal note after a lean spell in the competition. “I haven’t won a Laver Cup match in two years, so I’m happy I did it today,” he said after sealing the tie. “Massive credit to the entire Team World.” The German has been a fixture of the European side since the event began and has often found himself involved in its decisive singles matches on the final day.
He also pointed to the rare experience of playing as part of a team in a sport built around individuals. “Winning as a team, there’s no better feeling in sports,” Zverev said. “We don’t have enough of it in tennis.” Europe were guided from the bench by figures including the former British number one Tim Henman, who served as a vice captain for the side over the weekend in London.
The Laver Cup, named after the Australian great Rod Laver, has established itself as a fixture of the late season calendar since its launch in 2017. Held in a different city each year, it brings leading players together in an exhibition format that mixes singles and doubles. London’s turn drew large crowds to The O2, underlining the event’s appeal even outside the traditional Grand Slam season.
