Since Roger Federer retired, the Laver Cup’s biggest challenge has been finding a successor to the Swiss. The tournament and Federer himself can now breathe a sigh of relief: Carlos Alcaraz is its new standard-bearer.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion completed his third consecutive appearance at the event in London this weekend, stepping up as Team Europe’s leader, even if he won’t admit it: he won both of his matches, playing a key role in Europe’s 13-5 victory over Team World.
Alcaraz’s presence is not just another addition to a star-studded line-up. His flair and his tennis have made him the most captivating figure on the tour, and that is precisely what the event, created by the former world No. 1 and his manager Tony Godsick, needed: a player fans will pay to see and tune in for, at an exhibition that, until recently, revolved entirely around the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
In 2024, CLAY was in Berlin and captured it clearly: “Two years ago, Federer used the Laver Cup stage for his farewell. The images of tennis legends Federer and Nadal crying as they held hands on the players’ bench have gone down in tennis history. But history did not repeat itself in Berlin. It was a major disappointment for the fans. And it also showed something: the Laver Cup depends on its faces. But when they are no longer there, what remains is what remains.”
That was the first time Alcaraz played the Laver Cup. Two years later, far from being lukewarm about it, the current world No. 3 has shown no hesitation in embracing his connection with the event.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
“During the rest of the year, we hardly have events like this and, personally, I love team tournaments. I enjoy spending time with my teammates and having fun both on and off the court,” he said in London.
He enjoys playing as part of a team, although the current Australian Open champion has never played in the United Cup and has also missed his country’s last two Davis Cup ties.
“I try to make the most of this week and, of course, get to know the players better off the court. It’s a privilege that I enjoy immensely. You also have to value the fun side of it; what this competition gives me is precisely that joy of playing tennis,” he added.
The relationship between Federer and Alcaraz is probably the key to this succession. Although they never played each other in an official match, there have always been mutual praise and an easy rapport between the two.
“We know that when Carlos is at his best, he is the best, and I think he knows that too,” the Swiss told TNT Sports in London this weekend.
Less than a month ago in New York, he was also full of praise for the Spaniard: “I would have loved to play against Carlos. It’s exciting to watch him play and I never had the chance to face him. Or Sinner, for that matter, who I only practised with when he was starting out. Unfortunately, I missed that generation because of my knee problems.”
In doing so, Federer touched on a key point: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are now the most important players in the world, both in terms of results and media appeal.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
The Italian, despite being invited every year according to Godsick, has never played the Laver Cup. The Spaniard, on the other hand, has given it a central role in his calendar, showing up without fail, even during seasons marked by injuries and excessive physical strain.
He is Team Europe’s standout figure, its leader on and off the court, no matter how much he tries to deny it.
“Every team needs a leader, but I don’t think there is just one here. We are the best players in the world, so we are all pulling in the same direction, trying to help each other. I don’t see myself as a leader, not in this competition or any other,” he said on Thursday.
Over the weekend, he played two matches. He first won his doubles alongside Jakub Mensik before facing Taylor Fritz in what was the most thrilling match of the edition: Alcaraz won 6-3, 4-6, 13-11.
In 2024, he played four matches — two singles and two doubles — winning three of them. He matched that record in San Francisco last year.
His participation in 2027 has yet to be confirmed, but all signs point to him being in California when Team World host Team Europe for the fourth time in five editions on US soil.
Alcaraz is happily embracing the idea of becoming the tournament’s new face, and the event is all the better for it. The Laver Cup is now more than Federer.
