Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his Laver Cup debut for Team Europe, ready to take the stage in Berlin. However, his motivation for participating goes beyond just making his first appearance in the tournament. The Spanish player recently shared that he is driven by a strong desire to help Team Europe secure victory.
Alcaraz is part of an elite group of men who have won both Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the Open era, joining the likes of Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Now, the 21-year-old is eager to add another milestone to his career as he prepares to compete in the Laver Cup for Team Europe.
Having watched the Laver Cup from the sidelines in previous years, Alcaraz has always been captivated by its unique format and the dynamic between rivals-turned-teammates. His current focus is clear: he is not just there to enjoy the event, but to help Team Europe achieve a specific goal.
He expressed, “I love it, and I wanted to be part of it. It’s a serious competition. I think we have to represent Europe in the best way possible. The prestige that this tournament has, and being a Laver Cup champion is a huge thing.” He further added that he plans to bring joy to the team, showcasing his excitement for the competition.
Alcaraz’s enthusiasm for the Laver Cup stems in part from the unique structure of the tournament, where he will have the chance to team up with his usual rivals. Although he admits that it might feel “weird,” he is looking forward to spending a week bonding with his competitors. On connecting with his fellow players, he remarked, “Having a lot of time with them and speaking about something else, not only tennis, is going to be different … and I like different things.”
He is also thrilled to work alongside Bjorn Borg, whom he admires greatly. Reflecting on this opportunity, Alcaraz shared, “A legend from tennis and from the sport in general. My dad is a huge fan of him as well. So being coached by Bjorn Borg is going to be a really important moment for me, for my career, for my life.”
This year marks Borg’s final season as the captain of Team Europe, with Yannick Noah set to take over from next season. But for now, the focus is on this year’s event, where a star-studded Team Europe lineup featuring Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas is gearing up to take on Team World. The opposition includes American stars Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton.
While Team Europe appears slightly stronger on paper given the recent form of its players, Team World remains a formidable opponent. Can Carlos Alcaraz help Team Europe secure its third consecutive Laver Cup win? That remains to be seen, but it’s a question tennis fans are eagerly contemplating.
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