Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime, Schwartzman selected for Laver Cup

Team World will have a distinctly Canadian flavour later this year after Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime were among the first three players named to John McEnroe’s side.

Shapovalov, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this month, and Auger-Aliassime, who made the quarters, join Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the Team World line-up for the event, which will be played in Boston from September 24-26.

Shapovalov excited to return for third Laver Cup appearance

World No 10 Shapovalov will be playing in the Laver Cup for the third time, having experienced it in 2017 and 2019.

“I have great memories from both Prague and Geneva a couple of years ago,” he said. “It was a lot of fun being on the team with guys that I’m normally facing across the net and of course having McEnroe as our team leader – it’s such an honour. It’s definitely going to be a tough challenge for us, but I really believe if we all work together and play our best tennis we have a great chance.”

World No 15 Auger-Aliassime will be making his debut in the competition. “To be able to play in front of a full house at somewhere like TD Garden will be just incredible,” he said. “I’m also so excited to have a legend like John McEnroe in my corner – I’m sure I will learn a lot.”

Schwartzman, ranked No 13, returns to the Team World side after playing three years ago. “Playing in front of a full stadium at the United Center in Chicago back in 2018 was just incredible,” he said. I can only imagine, after the year we’ve all had, what the atmosphere will be like in front of a full capacity home crowd at TD Garden – it’s going to be incredible.”

McEnroe eyeing revenge after defeat in Geneva

McEnroe said this year’s event means even more to him after the way the Team World side was edged out in 2019.

“We came so close to winning in Geneva, it hurt. It is a loss that we will remember for a long time,” he said. “We know it is not going to be easy to beat Team Europe, but I like our chances.  All three of these players – Denis, Felix and Diego – compete hard, have beaten the best, and are at the top of the game, their records and rankings are proof of that. I have no doubt we will rise to the occasion. Bjorn (Borg, the Team Europe captain) and his team better be ready.”