Laver Cup: waiting instead of starting
The days are long at the Laver Cup. Especially for those players who are not used at all.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Sep 24, 2022, 08:54 am
Alexander Zverev was not to be blamed in Hamburg last week. On the contrary: The perseverance with which the German number one stayed in the pits in the cold at Rothenbaum to support the Davis Cup colleagues deserved the highest praise. There were also short breaks when cheering, and Zverev left the stadium from time to time.
The international fights of the last week have also been characterized by the fact that all three games of the day were scheduled "followed by". Only between the second singles and the doubles was a 20-minute break. The fact that it still took longer here and there (especially in Glasgow) was also due to the fact that the third sets were played in the Davis Cup.
At least that is different in the current Laver Cup in London. The decision is made in a match tiebreak if there is a tie in the set. However: Four games are scheduled per match day. And that in two sessions. The first starts at 1 p.m. local time, the evening at 7 p.m. Since the seat meat can already suffer. Especially for those athletes who are not used. For the Europeans there were Novak Djokovic or Matteo Berrettini, on the side of the world team Félix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz or substitute Tommy Paul.
Federer takes another bite
What to do? Jumping up on points of the respective teammates has become common practice. Both teams had quite a few opportunities in the third singles on Friday in the match between Andy Murray and Alex de Minaur. The twelfth game in the first set alone felt longer than the first round in the afternoon between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diefo Schwartzman. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer meanwhile sat relaxed backstage, Federer even grabbed a bite in preparation for the doubles match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
And otherwise? Casper Ruud took the opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Djokovic as the Murray provided pertinent pointers along the way. There are almost no alternatives to active participation on the team bench, unless one or the other sits on a bike for a few minutes to stretch their legs.
Superfan Rod Laver
However, the fact that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also moved back into the hall to make the decision shows one thing above all: that the tennis stars are also big fans of their sport. What applies in particular to the namesake Rod Laver: The 84-year-old fought bravely through the whole first day. And will also do this on Saturday and Sunday.