Dramatic Zverev victory: Team Europe wins Laver Cup

Paved the way to victory for Europe: Alexander Zverev.
IMAGO/Ostseephoto

After a highly dramatic thriller victory by tennis pro Alexander Zverev, the European selection won the title at the Laver Cup in Berlin. The world number two, weakened by a cold, recovered from a 2:4 deficit in the second set against Frances Tiafoe and defeated the American 6:7 (5:7), 7:5 and 10:5 after 2 hours and 34 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz made the decision in the decisive singles match. The Spanish Wimbledon winner beat US Open finalist Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 and brought the Laver Cup back to Europe for the first time since 2021. Under the watchful eyes of tennis legends Boris Becker and Roger Federer, team captain Björn Borg’s team celebrated a big party in the Uber Arena, which was sold out with 13,500 fans.

After two previous defeats, Zverev was at least able to say goodbye to the German capital with a sense of success. “That was the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” enthused the 27-year-old. The Tokyo Olympic champion lost his opening doubles match with Alcaraz as well as his singles match against Fritz.

Zverev with cold in Berlin

As has happened so often this year, a cold meant that Zverev was unable to perform at his best. The Hamburg native reported that he felt ill before the tournament and had a fever. Zverev has repeatedly struggled with health setbacks this year. He left open whether he will play the tournaments in Asia as planned. “I don’t know,” said Zverev.

The professionals cannot collect world ranking points at the lucrative Laver Cup. The Italian world number one Jannik Sinner had cancelled his participation, as had the Serbian Novak Djokovic and the Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Critics therefore see the three-day tournament, co-initiated by tennis legend Roger Federer, as a pure show event. Next year the Laver Cup will take place in San Francisco.