"It feels great today after the win" - Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik react to 'amazing' day one at Laver Cup

Team Europe got off to an almost flawless start in San Francisco, as they look to retain the Laver Cup against Team World. They head into day two with a 3-1 lead, with their team captain, Yannick Noah, praising his players.

Casper Ruud and Jakub Mensik both got Team Europe off to the perfect start, beating American duo Reilly Opelka and Alex Michelsen in the day session. Flavio Cobolli could not keep the winning streak going, losing out to Joao Fonseca, who broke the record for the youngest player to feature at the Laver Cup, coincidentally from Mensik earlier that day.

The Czech star took to the court with recent US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, and worked well together in defeating American number one Taylor Fritz and Michelsen in the doubles tie. It leaves Europe in a favourable position, with their captain living every moment of it.

"Well, it’s been a great day altogether," Noah said in the press conference after the doubles match. "The quality of tennis was very good. We’re up 3–1, but it could have gone many ways — the matches were very close, with a lot of different styles of play. I’m very happy to sit with these guys. It was intense — more than I expected, to tell you the truth. Emotionally, I’m so into it. It’s tough to coach guys like this, they’re so strong. Honestly, I’m exhausted."

It was a special occasion for Mensik, representing Europe in his first Laver Cup, along with teaming up with the world number one. He admitted that it was tough on the court, and believed he and Alcaraz worked well together.

"Obviously, the first day was tough for me, especially on my debut," he said. "But I’m happy with my performance in singles and also in doubles. With Carlos, I think we played really well. We complemented each other on the returns and the serves, and we showed a good performance. Even if it’s just one point, every point counts. I’m really happy I brought two points to the team today. Hopefully we can keep it up tomorrow."

The Spaniard was also very positive and upbeat about the start they had made, as he said: "It feels great today after the win. I remember last year I lost my doubles match on the first day, so every time I win in doubles, it feels amazing. I don’t usually play doubles, but whenever I do, I enjoy it — I just have fun, I play great, I feel good on court. Playing alongside teammates like this makes it special. When I lose, I feel bad because I always want to win — so this win means a lot. It’s also the first one I’ve had with the white hair, so it will be special for that too. And winning my first match with Jakub made it even better."

At one point in the match, Fritz hit a twenner back at Alcaraz, who managed to make a mess of the volley. He saw the funny side after the match, disclosing how rusty he felt playing doubles again.

"That easy volley I missed after my partner made that run — that effort — it was the easiest volley, and I missed it," Alcaraz said. "It wasn’t about that one point though. It was my first doubles match since the Davis Cup last year, so I felt a little bit lost at times. Sometimes I should have been closer to the net, like in that point. But there were great points today. As I said on court, thanks to Jakub — he pushed from the baseline, hit great shots at the net, and that gave me confidence to play great shots too. It was a good match overall."

The first set teibreaker was a closely contested one, as Team Europe just nicked it, saving a set point in the process. It was a high-stakes moment in not just the match, but the whole event. When asked if it was like a rollercoaster, Alcaraz said: "Not really. In doubles, anything can happen. We were up 3–1, then Taylor hit that volley with the frame — lucky — and suddenly they started to play better. We missed some shots that were really close to the line, but overall it was a great tiebreak with great points. We saved the set point and played strong. For me, the key was the return — my partner was returning unreal."

It is the first time Noah has had the privilege of captaining Team Europe at the Laver Cup, taking over from Bjorn Borg, and he is making the most of it. He was very grateful for Roger Federer for the call-up, thanking him when he got the opportunity to.

"I went to Roger and said, 'Thank you.' He told me, 'Come on, you’ve already thanked me so many times.' But I didn’t realise how intense these matches would be, and how much fun I’d have. I didn’t know the players personally before, but after just four days there’s already a strong connection. That feels great. Of course, our DNA is the game — when we play well and bond, that’s what it’s all about.

"It’s intense, but I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start. Not just because we’re up 3–1, but because of the energy between us. I thanked Roger for inviting me, and also Tony and Steve. Sometimes we forget to thank people."

The Frenchman was also quick to laud Alcaraz. He had never met the six-time Grand Slam champion before this event, but was not disappointed in his first encounters, lapping up praise for the 22-year-old.

"He’s such a good person — just a simple, good person who loves tennis," Noah said. "I’ve coached many players in France, but Carlos… he sweats tennis. He loves the game, and he knows it very well. I was surprised at the things he was saying to his teammates during matches — real leadership. Of course he’s number one, but there’s a reason. Physically he’s incredible, but he also knows the game so well. And he’s a great teammate. You could be number one and say, “I just won the US Open, I don’t care.” But he cares, and that makes him special."