Laver Cup is the men’s tennis tournament where the European men from Team Europe take on the ATP players from the rest of the world grouped as Team World. The concept is emulated from golf’s Ryder Cup. It’s an indoor tennis tournament.

The tournament is named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver and the event is backed by Roger Federer’s management company TEAM8.

The Laver Cup began in 2017 and it is usually held two weeks after the US Open, with the location varying yearly between European cities and cities in other parts of the world. When it first started, it was a tour not recognized by any tennis association. But in 2019, the ATP sanctioned the championship.

It follows a different format from the rest of the international tournaments and has its own charm. 

The history of the Laver Cup

The Laver Cup was named after the legendary Australian player Rod Laver. Laver acquired the moniker "Rocket" because of his quickness and devastating left arm. As an amateur and a professional, he rose above the sport. After Don Budge in 1938, Laver was the only player to win the Calendar Grand Slam. He did so twice, in 1962 and 1969, with the latter being the only time a man has done it in the Open Era.  

The Laver Cup was founded by Roger Federer's management company, TEAM8, in collaboration with Brazilian businessman and former Davis Cup player Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. The biennial Ryder Cup golf competition, which pits the best golfers from the United States against the best players from Europe, prompted Roger Federer to design a similar tennis team tournament.

Where is the Laver Cup taking place this year?

The sixth edition of the tournament will take place at Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, from September 22-24, 2023, with the best names in tennis competing as teams in both singles and doubles competitions. Last year, the tournament took place in London, which was the last time Roger Federer played in a professional tennis tournament. 

What is the format for the 2023 Laver Cup?

The tournament consists of five sessions conducted over three days. Singles and doubles are played in the best of three sets, with the usual scoring system. If the score is tied at one set each, the third set is a 10-point match tiebreaker. During the first two days, each player competes in at least one singles match. During the three days, no player may play singles more than twice.

At least four of the six players must play a doubles match. Except for the Decider on Day 3, where points are 12:12, no doubles pairing can be used more than once. The winning team must accumulate 13 points. If a tie remains after all 12 matches, a final overtime doubles match - a Decider - is played as a regular set with normal scoring and a tiebreak. 

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Teams in the 2023 Laver Cup

As usual, there are two teams in the Laver Cup: Team Europe and Team World. This year, Team Europe comprises Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, and Gael Monfils and they will be led by Bjorn Borg.

Team World consists, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton and Francisco Cerundolo and will be led by John McEnroe. The scheduled matches of each player is yet to be announced. 

Laver Cup winners in the past

From the inaugural edition in 2017 to the fifth edition in 2021, Team Europe has had a monopoly on the trophy. But in 2022, Team World turned it around and finally beat Team Europe in the sixth edition. The final point tally was 13-8 in favor of Team World. On the first two days, Team Europe led the score. But on day three, Team World steamrolled them without losing a match to win their first Laver Cup. 

Laver Cup 2023 Prize Money distribution

The total prize pool for the 2023 Laver Cup is $2.5 million. Each player in the winning team will get to take home $250,000. Each player from the losing team will pocket $125,000. In addition to the prize money, players will receive a participation fee based on their current rankings. 

There is much speculation about the money received by players since their ATP rankings decide their appearance fee. But the prize money for one team is equal for each player.

How to watch the Laver Cup 2023

Just like all tennis events, several channels cover the Laver Cup. Fans of tennis on the Indian subcontinent can view the tournament on Sony Ten. North American countries can view the tournament on the Tennis Channel. European tennis fans can view the championship on Eurosport. Broadcasting in Africa is divided by many networks. In Middle Eastern countries, the Laver Cup can be viewed on beIN Sports MENA.

The Laver Cup is one of the few tournaments where players team up to attain glory. This year's version is bound to be as exciting as the ones since 2017.

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