Federer retirement, Nadal, Djokovic: Everything you always wanted to know about the 2022 Laver Cup (but never had time to find out)
Roger Federer has announced he will be ending his tennis career after the forthcoming Laver Cup. Here’s all you need to know about the 2022 edition of the tournament
Team Europe at the 2019 Laver Cup (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)
When does the 2022 Laver Cup start?
The 2022 Laver Cup starts on Friday 23 September, and ends on Sunday 25 September. It is played in London.
The draw and schedule for the first day has been released and includes the blockbuster pairing of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal teaming up for the Swiss’ final match as a professional.
The draw for each of the remaining two days will be released the night before.
What is the format of the Laver Cup?
The Laver Cup is an international men’s team tennis tournament that is played between Team Europe and Team World (comprising players from countries outside of Europe). The tournament was inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup.
The tournament is played over three days with the first two days consisting of a day and a night session, and a day session on the third day.
Four matches – three singles and a doubles – are played each day. All matches are best-of-three sets with ad scoring. If the first two sets are tied, then the third set is a 10-point match tiebreaker.
Each win earns the team one point on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday. The first team to 13 points (out of a total 24 points available) wins the trophy. If the points are tied at 12:12 at the end of all matches, a fifth match (the “Decider”) is played on the final day to determine the winner.
Live results of the Laver Cup available here.
Who came up with the idea of the tournament?
The Laver Cup is the creation of Roger Federer and his agent, Tony Godsick.
The tournament is named after Rod Laver, one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Laver is the only player to win the calendar Grand Slam (all four majors in a single season) twice – in 1962 as an amateur and in 1969 – as a pro. The Australian is also the last male player to win a calendar Grand Slam.
Who picks the teams?
The captains select three members of their team – the “captain’s picks”. The others qualify courtesy of their ATP rankings.
This year, the teams line up as follows:
Team World
- Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Taylor Fritz
- Diego Schwartzman
- Alex de Minaur
- Frances Tiafoe
- Jack Sock
- Tommy Paul (alternate)
- John McEnroe (captain)
- Patrick McEnroe (vice-captain)
Team Europe
- Novak Djokovic
- Rafael Nadal
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Casper Ruud
- Roger Federer
- Andy Murray
- Matteo Berrettini (alternate)
- Bjorn Borg (captain)
- Thomas Enqvist (vice-captain)
Where is the Laver Cup happening?
The Laver Cup takes place in London in 2022. It rotates between different host cities. So far, the host cities have been:
- 2017 (inaugural edition) – Prague, Czech Republic
- 2018 – Chicago, United States
- 2019 – Geneva, Switzerland
- 2020 – not held due to coronavirus pandemic
- 2021 – Boston, United States
Who are the reigning champions of the Laver Cup?
Team Europe are reigning champions. In 2021, they were without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but still lifted the trophy for a fourth straight time, victorious by a 14-1 margin.
So far the scores have been:
- 2017 – Team Europe defeated Team World 15–9
- 2018 – Team Europe defeated Team World 13–8
- 2019 – Team Europe defeated Team World 13−11
- 2020 – Not played due to Coronavirus
- 2021 – Team Europe defeated Team World 14-1
Is Roger Federer going to play the Laver Cup?
Roger Federer will play doubles for Team Europe on the first day of the 2022 Laver Cup. He will team up with Rafael Nadal to take on Team World’s Jack Sock/ Frances Tiafoe in the final match on the opening day.
Federer has ruled out playing singles at the tournament this year.
When will Roger Federer play at the Laver Cup? What day? What time?
Roger Federer is scheduled to play the first doubles, scheduled on Friday September the 23rd around 9pm local time, and no other matches in the weekend. In a Facebook post, he said he would have to be ready for “one more match”. He added : “I’m nervous, I haven’t played for so long. I hope it goes well.”
How has Roger Federer fared in previous editions?
Roger Federer did not play in last year’s edition of the Laver Cup due to injury.
In 2019, his results were as follows:
Day 1 – Doubles with Alexander Zverev v Denis Shapovalov/Jack Sock, won 6-3, 7-5
Day 2 – Singles v Nick Kyrgios, won 6-7 (5), 7-5, 10-7
Day 3 – Doubles with Stefanos Tsitsipas v John Isner/Jack Sock, lost 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
Day 3 – Singles v John Isner, won 6-4, 7-6 (3)
In 2018, his results were as follows:
Day 1 – Doubles with Novak Djokovic v Kevin Anderson/Jack Sock, lost 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-6
Day 2 – Singles v Nick Kyrgios, won 6-3, 6-2
Day 3 – Doubles with Alexander Zverev v John Isner/Jack Sock, lost 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9
Day 3 – Singles v John Isner, won 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 10-7
In 2017, his results were as follows:
Day 2 – Singles v Sam Querrey, won 6-4, 6-2
Day 2 – Doubles with Rafael Nadal v Sam Querrey and Jack Sock, won 6-4, 1-6, 10-5
Day 3 – Singles v Nick Kyrgios, won 4-6, 7-6 (6), 11-9
Are tickets for the Laver Cup still available?
There are still some tickets for the Laver Cup available, via the official tournament website.
We ❤️ You Roger!!! what you have meant to and done for tennis is immeasurable, acronyms aside (much too trendy for a classic like yourself) you simply are the Greatest! as a man, as a role model and of course as a exemplary tennis player. Best of luck enjoying the rest of a full life with your family. Thanks for the memories!! There will never be another RF.
Why isn’t the Laver Cup televised in the USA?
We want to see Roger Federer.