IN its seventh edition, the 2024 Laver Cup will kick off tonight with some of world’s best male tennis players facing off in an exhibition-like event. Six players from Europe will go up against six players from the rest of the world – almost always the Americas and Australia – to decide who will have bragging rights.

In the first four editions, Team Europe took out the titles, and their 14-1 obliteration of Team World in 2021 looked to almost put a nail in the coffin of the tournament’s value. However, Team World captained by John McEnroe has made a return through the rise of American tennis, defeating Team Europe the last two events including a 13-2 thrashing 12 months ago.

Last year was not a huge surprise with Team World having the stronger side including Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton and Francisco Cerundo. In other worlds, it could have just been Team America. In 2024, four of those players return, with Paul a late withdrawal and Auger-Aliassime not playing, while Australian Alex de Minaur was a late withdrawal as well.

Coming into the side in place of de Minaur was compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis, while Alejandro Tabilo secured his spot through Paul’s departure. However unlike last year, Team Europe is highly stacked, featuring five of the Top 10 in the world, and all six within the Top 12. Fritz (seventh) is the only player ranked ahead of some of the opposition.

While no Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal – who was a late withdrawal – like in past years, having the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev as Top 5 players is very strong. Casper Ruud is the only player who remains from last year’s disaster, and the Bjorn Borg-led side will be hungry to bounce back this year.

Expect them to do just that with the stacked team on paper far better than its opposition, though the likes of Fritz, Shelton and Tiafoe are all coming off impressive US Open performances. Kokkinakis played well in the recent Davis Cup but can be shaky, while Cerundolo and Tabilo are the two uncertainties when facing top stars. Team Europe to win along the likes of 13-5.

TEAMS

TEAM EUROPE:

Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)
Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
Casper Ruud (Norway)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)
Alexander Zverev (Germany)

TEAM WORLD:

Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina)
Taylor Fritz (USA)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia)
Ben Shelton (USA)
Alejandro Tabilo (Chile)
Frances Tiafoe (USA)

RULES:

• Best of three sets, third set is a 10-point match tiebreaker

• Each player has to play at least one singles match in the first two days

• No player can play singles more than twice during the three days

• At least four of the six players must play doubles and no doubles combination can be repeated except for the Decider if points are 12-12

• The winning team must reach 13 points

• Each match on day one is worth one point, with day two worth two points, and day three worth three

DAY 1 SCHEDULE:

Singles:
Casper Ruud vs. Francisco Cerundolo
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Alejandro Tabilo

Doubles:
C. Alcaraz/A. Zverev vs. T. Fritz/B. Shelton