John McEnroe to captain Team World for the last time at Laver Cup: “It was absolutely huge to finally get over the hump and win"
ATP
John McEnroe will step down as Team World captain after seven years guiding
them through the Laver Cup. The seven-time Grand Slam champion aims to claim a
third consecutive victory, relying on key players such as Taylor Fritz, Ben
Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe.
The former
world No. 1 expressed his determination to secure another win and close the
historical gap with Team Europe, who dominated the first four editions of the
tournament, leaving the head-to-head at 4-2. “It would be great to go out on a
high,” McEnroe said.
McEnroe reflects on seven-year journey as Laver Cup captain
The
American acknowledged that Team Europe will be the favourites, featuring five
players from the top 10 in the ATP rankings. Fritz, currently the only
non-European in the top 10 after his US Open final run, will be crucial for
Team World. “We play a very formidable team; we’re up against it each year,”
McEnroe admitted.
The
four-time US Open champion has led Team World for seven years, coaching players
like Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, John Isner, Jack Sock, Diego Schwartzman,
Milos Raonic, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Ben Shelton, among
others. “They all have their own coaches, [but] you try to add that little bit
during the week,” McEnroe explained. “Anytime they want to ask me something,
get some advice, I’d be more than happy to help.”
“When
bringing a group together for a short period of time, you’ve got to figure out
who will lead and who prefers to step back. Some like more advice, others like
to offer advice … it’s a great learning experience,” McEnroe added.
John McEnroe at 2021 Laver Cup.
McEnroe
highlighted his favourite Laver Cup moments as the two victories in London 2022
and Vancouver 2023. He particularly praised Auger-Aliassime’s performance in
2022, where his doubles and singles wins, including a key victory over Novak
Djokovic, broke Team Europe’s four-year winning streak. “It was absolutely huge
to finally get over the hump and win one,” McEnroe reminisced. “We were very
close a couple of other times.”
He also
commented on his admiration for Carlos Alcaraz, one of his favourite players.
However, McEnroe jokingly wished that Alcaraz would have an off weekend during
the Laver Cup: “I love Carlos, I have to admit … I hope he plays terribly this
weekend. He’s the biggest breath of fresh air we’ve had in the sport in ten
years.”
“It’s an
event that has added some spark to the tour, I think the players love it, and
it’s been highly competitive,” McEnroe concluded.
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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