Tennis: What is the Laver Cup? Back to the format

Holder of a Master’s degree in sports journalism, I fell in love with tennis since childhood and have always loved reading the great stories of this sport. Today, I want to tell them about them, take full advantage of my passion and be as close as possible to the aces of the circuit.

This Friday is the big start of the Laver Cup 2023. This competition, created in 2017 under the leadership of Roger Federer, is not considered an exhibition since duels between players count in official face-to-face matches. . However, this remains particularly criticized since after a 2022 edition marked by the presence of the Big 4 to say goodbye to the Swiss, the casting of the 2023 edition leaves something to be desired. However, the main party defends his “baby” tooth and nail.

Remember a year ago when Roger Federer burst into tears just moments after her doubles defeat alongside Rafael Nadal, his lifelong friend. Beautiful images engraved in the memory but many had regretted their choice to end with this competition considered by many to be an exhibition. Before thinking about the 2023 edition, it is time to rethink the very specific rules of this competition format.

Two teams: Team Europe versus Team World

Traditionally, the Making Cup takes place over three days during a weekend, alternating one year in Europe and one year elsewhere, knowing that the 3 non-European editions have taken place in North America for the moment. Normally, the best players from each team meet but invitations are not reserved for everyone. In short, tennis being dominated for years by Europe, places are expensive in the team whose Björn Borg is the captain. In front of her, the Team WorldDirected by John McEnroewhich won for the first time last year.

Tennis: Nadal close to retirement, the strong message for Djokovic https://t.co/BfNrC17R9p pic.twitter.com/y8pBu899Kz

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 20, 2023

A special format that matters for the ATP

In the spirit ofATPthe Making Cup is indeed a competition which officially counts in the results. This is perhaps an aberration, especially since the format of the matches is particular. Indeed, over the three days of competition, all singles and doubles matches are played in two winning sets and if there is a tie after two sets, a super tie-break of 10 points is played. With 6 players present in each team, each plays a singles during the first two days and the doubles associations are decided afterwards.

A points system

A bit like the Ryder Cup in golf, the Team Europe and the Team World face each other and each match earns one point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday. The first two days, three singles and a doubles are contested; the last day begins with a doubles then singles if we still cannot determine the winner. This year Team Europe welcomes a French player for the first time and there will even be two since Gaël Monfils et Arthur Son will accompany Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz et Alexander Davidovich Fokina to challenge Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton et Francisco Cerundolo.