Roger Federer Won’t Leave Laver Cup, Says ATP Member

Vienna Open Tournament Director Herwig Straka addressed the possibility of the Davis Cup finals taking place in the same week as the Laver Cup in late September. The most contentious question was obviously about the availability of Roger Federer.

In an interview given to Tennisnet, Straka said: “It would definitely mean war with Roger Federer”.

Straka emphasized on the fact that it is highly unlikely for Roger Federer to miss the three-year-old event, that is considered to be his brainchild. The Swiss maestro has been the major attraction of the tournament.

Straka further said that he realized that in the long term it is not prudent to have two big-ticket tournaments at the same time.

He added: “I think the first week is the best. Even if it may look stranger that the year starts with a team event.  But it’s the only time of the year where the players are available and they enjoy playing. “

The Laver Cup is an international indoor hard court men’s tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World,  the latter of which is composed of players from non-European countries.

In May 2019, the Laver Cup became an officially sanctioned ATP Tour event.

Roger Federer’s management company, Team 8 is behind the creation of the Laver Cup.

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The seeds for competition between Davis Cup and Laver Cup were sowed when Roger Federer scheduled his South American exhibition tour at the same time as the Davis Cup.

Federer was then embroiled in a war of words with Gerard Pique who claimed that Federer was trying to ‘protect’ the Laver Cup.

Know More – Roger Federer explains why he is ’smiling’ over Davis Cup clash with Gerard Pique

Roger Federer had this to say about comparisons with the Davis Cup: “Davis Cup gave a lot to me and I gave a lot to Davis Cup too. I won’t ever say anything bad about it. I hope it stays successful. Our Laver Cup is three years old, Davis Cup is 120 years old. If they see us as competition, I take it with a smile.

FC Barcelona footballer, Gerard Pique is hoping that the Davis Cup and ATP cup can merge to become a super event. He is planning to hold this event in the same month as the Laver Cup.

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Tennis fans would be hoping that this rivalry ultimately benefits the sport. However, on the flip side, it will also lead to a tough choice for the players. They will have to sacrifice one tournament to play at the other.