Staff Europe might depend 4 debutants amongst its six-strong roster for this yr’s Laver Cup, however that doesn’t imply there’s any scarcity of big-stage expertise for captain Bjorn Borg to name upon this weekend in Vancouver.
With 42 ATP Tour titles between them, Borg is worked up on the lineup he has to select from this yr as he goals to assist Europe reclaim the trophy from Staff World on the annual occasion.
“I am very pleased with my group. We had a very good apply the entire week,” stated Borg at Staff Europe’s pre-tournament press convention. “I believe it is going to be very attention-grabbing match. Sadly, we misplaced final yr in London. That was a really large disappointment.
“I do know that every one these six guys are very desperate to deliver again the trophy to Europe… It is the perfect week of the yr for me personally, and spend time with these nice champions right here, it is such a pleasant factor. The group now we have collectively, it is great. It is a very shut group, and it ought to be in that form of approach.”
Staff Europe got here to serve 📸 pic.twitter.com/1qI3u1rFhy
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 22, 2023
With Gael Monfils, Hubert Hurkacz, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Arthur Fils set to make their debuts, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev are the Laver Cup veterans aiming to assist their teammates settle in shortly to the distinctive format of the competitors.
“Me and Andrey, who has additionally performed earlier than, are going to do our greatest to assist our fellow teammates who’re right here for the primary time, and hopefully that have will help a bit bit,” stated Norway’s Ruud. “Simply get pleasure from however give it your all. It is a trophy price preventing for. It is far more enjoyable to carry it than go within the locker room on Sunday not having received. That is the recommendation I might give.”
Staff Europe’s Laver Cup first-timers embrace two Frenchmen at completely different levels of their careers in Gael Monfils and Arthur Fils. The 36-year-old Monfils, who will tackle Canadian favorite Felix Auger-Aliassime on Day 1, is hoping his wealth of expertise will help his #NextGenATP countryman Fils, in addition to the remainder of the group, forge a constructive outcome this weekend at Roger’s Enviornment.
“It is at all times nice to be in a group,” stated Monfils. “Like a bit bit completely different, however the first time additionally I play with Arthur. We could not handle to play on Davis Cup collectively. Then with the opposite guys, we have identified one another for very long time additionally, and it is simply nice.
“As I say to all of them, I am there, you recognize, to loosen up all people and undoubtedly to assist them. This competitors, it was on my bucket listing. It appears nice, appears improbable. Positively the kind of format that I like to play and compete in, with group spirit. I used to be very flattered once I obtained a name, and 100 per cent will likely be prepared tomorrow for a very good one.”
No matter who’s on court docket for Staff Europe at any specific time, they are going to have the help of 5 different gamers they usually see as rivals, week-in, week-out on the ATP Tour. For Ruud, it’s this dynamic which makes Laver Cup so partaking.
“I believe it is good to have your typical opponents be teammates for as soon as,” stated Ruud. “While you’re taking part in Davis Cup or United Cup, you could have your countrymen as your teammates. However right here it is anybody from Europe might be your teammate.
“You form of join or create a connection or a bond which you could form of use for the remainder of the yr. The subsequent yr it is simpler to know one another, to arrange practices. A minimum of I felt like that helped lots for me once I performed my first yr [in] Boston. [It] was form of simpler to ask the blokes to apply sooner or later and so forth.
“It is simply actually enjoyable competitors. You must study all the nice and all of the dangerous sides of your teammates.”
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