Laver Cup
The way it feels to have Alcaraz in your facet: Staff Europe stars weigh in!
Spaniard gained his Laver Cup singles debut Saturday in Berlin
September 21, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Photos for Laver Cup
Carlos Alcaraz in motion towards Ben Shelton on Saturday on the Laver Cup.
By Andy West
Most weeks of the yr, Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Tour rivals are centered on how they could defeat him on a few of the largest levels in tennis. This week on the Laver Cup, a few of those self same rivals are discovering what it’s wish to have the Spaniard’s elegant expertise on their very own facet for as soon as.
On his singles debut on the groups occasion on Saturday in Berlin, Alcaraz downed Ben Shelton in straight units to earn two essential factors for Staff Europe. As his teammates supported from courtside, the No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings gave them a reminder of why he’s such a troublesome opponent.
That successful smile 🙌
With the 6-4 6-4 victory over Shelton, @carlosalcaraz helps Staff Europe degree issues with Staff World.@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/Ty8oCsfsWK
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2024
A type of watching from the Staff Europe bench was Casper Ruud, who’s but to notch a win in 4 Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes towards Alcaraz, together with within the 2022 US Open remaining.
“I’m comfortable to have him on my crew, that’s for certain,” Ruud advised ATPTour.com previous to Alcaraz’s match towards Shelton. “He’s an unimaginable participant, so I’d somewhat have him on my crew than towards me. It’s cool. He’s going to come back out explosively, as at all times, to hopefully get some vital wins for Staff Europe. Everyone knows how nice he’s and it’s his debut so I’m certain he wish to do properly.”
Alcaraz is lining up alongside fellow former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, World No. 2 Alexander Zverev, 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, and former Grand Slam finalists Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas for Staff Europe this yr. A stellar solid, but the presence of the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion has made a transparent impression to his crew’s spirits.
Competing in his fourth Laver Cup in Berlin, Tsitsipas is a relative veteran on the annual groups occasion in comparison with debutant Alcaraz. The Greek solely had good issues to say concerning the newest addition to Staff Europe.
“I feel he’s having quite a lot of enjoyable. I feel he enjoys the format,” mentioned Tsitsipas of four-time main champion Alcaraz. “These are the uncommon events the place you may have a teammate like that. Having the chance to be on the identical facet and attempt for a similar end result and for a similar accomplishment, that’s one thing I might have by no means considered. That’s what makes the Laver Cup stand out, and I’m positively loving it up to now.”
Bjorn Borg is captaining Staff Europe for the seventh and remaining time in Berlin. The legendary Swede may hardly have requested for an even bigger weapon in his armoury as he plots his crew’s bid for a primary Laver Cup title since 2021.
“I’m so excited to have all these guys in my crew, and to have Carlos for the primary time is thrilling,” mentioned Borg. “Individuals are excited, and hopefully he’s going to win a number of matches.”
So how did Alcaraz himself regulate to the distinctive dynamic of his ATP Tour rivals cheering him on Saturday towards Shelton?
“It was enjoyable. Actually it was a fantastic feeling having them supporting me behind, being like coaches,” the Spaniard advised ATPTour.com after his 6-4, 6-4 triumph. “Having Bjorn on the bench as properly, it’s a nice assist for me. Usually I watch my crew after each level. Right here I am taking a look at my companions and Bjorn [instead of] my crew. So it’s a totally different feeling.
“For me it was distinctive expertise that I loved lots. Having, for instance, Grigor [Dimitrov] on a regular basis teaching me, telling me the ways that I’ve to do in the course of the match, it was loopy. Having Stefanos and all of the gamers behind me in all of the break occasions, it was nice for me. I will take this expertise for a very long time, and I truthfully be taught lots from them as properly.”
