The 8th edition of the Laver Cup wrapped up at San Francisco’s Chase Center, and what a ride it was! Team World came back from an early deficit to defeat Team Europe 15–9, claiming their third title since 2022. Since its 2017 debut by Roger Federer and Tony Godsick, the tournament has become a three-day clash of six top Europeans versus six of the world’s best. As the final points were played, the excitement lingered, with fans and sports legends alike soaking in the moment and bidding their heartfelt goodbyes.

Pau Gasol shared his excitement on X after the Laver Cup, saying, “The @LaverCup has been a blast! Great vibes, lots of competitiveness and excitement on court. So much fun to have been able to attend this amazing event with some of the greatest tennis players in the world,” giving a special shout-out, “led by my good friend, countryman and number 1 player in the world, @carlosalcaraz 🙌🏼🎾 Exceptional work by the organization and all its partners! @rogerfederer 👏🏼🙌🏼”

He posted pictures with his wife, Catherine McDonnell, and posed alongside stars Carlos Alcaraz and Francisco Cerundolo. Speaking of the Laver Cup action, Team World put on a show with Taylor Fritz leading the charge.

On Saturday, Fritz crushed World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6–3, 6–2, playing at near-perfect form. He came back Sunday ready to finish things off, defeating No. 3 Alexander Zverev again to lock in Team World’s victory. Early momentum was set by Brazilian teen João Fonseca, who scored the first point against Flavio Cobolli, while Alex Michelsen shone in doubles, proving he can hang with the best.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz kept Team Europe alive with two crucial wins on Sunday. He dominated Francisco Cerundolo 6–2, 6–1 in just over an hour, boosting his personal Laver Cup tally to 15 points. Even after his first-ever loss to Fritz, Alcaraz showed why he’s still the top-ranked player, adding doubles victories to his resume. Basketball legend Pau Gasol added extra flair to the day by taking part in the pre-match draw before Alcaraz faced Cerundolo, a touching nod to the special bond he shares with Carlos.

But Gasol wasn’t the only NBA star to light up the event. The Chase Center in San Francisco, buzzing with over 80,000 fans, saw a surprise visit from Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. He joined Roger Federer for the coin toss ahead of the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz match, adding extra star power to the day. Curry even signed a massive bottle of his bourbon for Federer, who, in return, gifted him a signed RF 01 racket, a book, and Team World and Team Europe jackets—memorabilia that made the exchange unforgettable.

Pau Gasol: Spain’s loyal tennis champion

Even after retiring from basketball, Pau Gasol hasn’t left the courts entirely—he just swapped hoops for tennis. For years, he’s been a devoted supporter of Rafael Nadal, following his every match with the kind of passion only a true fan could muster. But when Carlos Alcaraz burst onto the scene, Pau didn’t hesitate to throw his full support behind the young Spaniard, embracing him like a proud older brother. Their bond was on full display at the Laver Cup, where US Open Tennis posted a photo of Alcaraz and Pau captioned, “the way Carlos looks at Pau Gasol. 🥹” —big smiles and bright eyes making it obvious just how much respect and admiration they share.

Pau has never shied away from cheering Carlos on publicly. Back in May, when Alcaraz defeated Janik Sinner to claim the Italian Open title, Pau wrote, “¡Vamos, Carlos! 💪🏼 Enhorabuena (Translation: Come on, Carlos! 💪🏼 Congratulations).” Then, in June, after Alcaraz won his second French Open, Pau shared, “What an ode to tennis! Thank you, Carlitos, for what you’ve thrilled us with this afternoon. You’ve taught us again why we should never, ever give up. Enjoy your second Roland Garros, my friend.” It’s clear Pau’s support goes beyond pride in a fellow Spaniard—it’s personal, heartfelt, and consistent.

Their connection isn’t just on social media. When Alcaraz was defeated by Sebastian Korda at Monte Carlo in 2022, Pau was there to cheer him on. “It hurts to lose, but defeats like that help you grow. It’s time to learn. You will do it, @alcarazcarlos03,” Pau advised. Alcaraz has also always been upfront about Pau’s influence. During the Miami Open 2024, he said, “I admire both him [Jimmy Butler] and Pau Gasol because of that winning mentality, their professionalism, because they want to improve every day and look at the finest of details to become a better athlete.”

Their bond is based on respect, mentorship, and shared love for the game.