Struff and Cobolli join Laver Cup as alternates amid fan backlash

Tuesday, 17 September 2024 at 21:30

Fans react with criticism to Laver Cup’s new alternate additions. The tournament created by Roger Federer announced that Jan-Lennard Struff and Flavio Cobolli will join Team Europe in Berlin as alternates, in case any of the team members suffer an injury.

It hasn’t been easy for the Laver Cup to finalize its participants, with the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal (No. 9 – protected ranking), Alex De Minaur (No. 11), and Tommy Paul (No. 13), creating a seemingly less competitive draw, at least in terms of player rankings. The replacements chosen were Grigor Dimitrov (No. 10) for Team Europe, Francisco Cerundolo (No. 31), and Thanasi Kokkinakis (No. 78).

Laver Cup’s new alternates stir fan discontent online

Recently, the tournament announced the addition of two more players for Team Europe, who will serve as alternates and will only play a match if a team member withdraws. Bjorn Borg selected Flavio Cobolli (No. 32) and Jan-Lennard Struff (No. 37).

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Including the alternates, a total of 14 players were called for the tournament, but only 7 of them are ranked in the top 15. In fact, only 10 players are currently in the top 30, in addition to the absence for the second consecutive year of the Big 3, who were part of the first four editions of the tournament, until Roger Federer’s retirement in 2022.

The announcement of the Laver Cup adding Cobolli and Struff sparked criticism from fans on social media, with many expressing that the tournament has lost significance and is becoming less attractive due to the players participating.

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‘I'm a Roger fan, but cancel this tournament, the tennis schedule is incredibly tough, everyone complains about the schedule, but they keep playing this tournament or some exhibitions, I don't understand some players at all,’ one fan commented. See below for more reactions.

Clark Kent

@ClarkKe73254158

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Replying to @LaverCup

Im Roger fan,but cancell this tournament,schedule in tennis incredibly hard,everyone complains about the schedule,but still playing this tournament,or some exhibitions,i don't understand some players at all.

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