Team World will have a new face at the Laver Cup after an American star was forced to withdraw following an injury suffered at the US Open. World No. 19 Tommy Paul will miss the 2026 edition in London, with Francisco Cerundolo called up to replace him at the O2 Arena from September 25-27.
Paul's withdrawal comes after he suffered an elbow injury during his US Open campaign. It is the second consecutive year that the American has been forced to pull out of the Laver Cup after picking up an injury at the final Grand Slam of the season, creating another unwanted disruption for Team World.
He reached the fourth round after defeating the 15th seed, Alexander Bublik, in a five-set match, but lost to the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in straight sets.
Cerundolo arrives as an experienced replacement. The Argentine will make his fourth consecutive appearance at the event after reaching the fourth round of the US Open, where he defeated Taylor Fritz before losing to Alexander Blockx. He also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open earlier this year.
The change means Team World will now have three American players rather than four, with Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien joined by Cerundolo, Alex de Minaur and Alexander Bublik. Andre Agassi's team will enter London as defending champions after beating Team Europe 15-9 in San Francisco last year.
Cerundolo gets another Laver Cup opportunity
Cerundolo has become a familiar presence at the Laver Cup and now has another opportunity to represent Team World on a stage that has already produced some of the best moments of his career. The 28-year-old has a 3-1 record in the competition, with all four of his matches coming in singles.
His only defeat came last year against Carlos Alcaraz, while he also picked up a win over Holger Rune as Team World secured a convincing victory in San Francisco. Cerundolo will now return to an event he clearly enjoys, despite arriving as a replacement rather than part of the original roster.
“I'm really excited to be back with Team World for my fourth Laver Cup. I have so many great memories from the event. It's a unique experience getting to know your teammates and playing for each other. I'm looking forward to being back with the team in London.”
The timing also gives Cerundolo another chance to build on what has been a productive 2026 season. The Argentine has already reached two Grand Slam fourth rounds this year and currently sits at No. 25 in the ATP rankings.
He has also collected two ATP titles during the season, winning in Buenos Aires and at Queen's, strengthening his position among the leading players outside the very top of the rankings. His form made him a logical replacement once Paul became unavailable.
Cerundolo's record at Laver Cup (1-3)
| Year | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2023 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | W | 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2024 | Casper Ruud | L | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 | Holger Rune | L | 3-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | L | 6-2, 6-1 |
Team World faces another change in London
For Paul, the withdrawal is another frustrating setback after he was again selected for the event. The American has been an important part of Team World's recent Laver Cup lineups, but the elbow problem means he will now have to watch from the sidelines as his teammates attempt to defend their title.
The absence leaves Agassi with a slightly different balance in his squad. Shelton, Fritz and Tien remain the three American representatives, while De Minaur, Bublik and Cerundolo provide the international presence on a team that will once again try to overcome Europe.
Team Europe will be led by Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, with Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensik, Casper Ruud and Flavio Cobolli completing the roster. Europe will be looking to respond after Team World's dominant victory in San Francisco, having lost three of the last four editions.
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For Cerundolo, the Laver Cup now provides another opportunity to compete alongside some of the biggest names in the sport. For Paul, it is another reminder of how quickly an injury at the US Open can change the final weeks of a season.
The O2 Arena will therefore welcome a Team World lineup that looks different from the one originally announced — with Cerundolo stepping in for an American who once again will not be able to take part.
| Team Europe | Ranking | Team World | Ranking |
| Alexander Zverev | No. 2 | Ben Shelton | No. 4 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | No. 3 | Alex de Minaur | No. 9 |
| Flavio Cobolli | No. 7 | Taylor Fritz | No. 10 |
| Rafael Jodar | No. 14 | Learner Tien | No. 13 |
| Jakub Mensik | No. 15 | Alexander Bublik | No. 17 |
| Casper Ruud | No. 18 | Francisco Cerundolo | No. 23 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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