Renowned tennis player Roger Federer has expressed his aspirations of one day captaining Team Europe’s Laver Cup team. The Laver Cup, a brainchild of Federer, Jorge Paulo Lemann, and Tennis Australia, is an event that mirrors the format of the Ryder Cup, featuring Team Europe going up against Team World. Although Federer was unable to participate in the 2021 tournament due to injury, he made a triumphant return in 2022 alongside fellow player Rafael Nadal. Despite revealing his ambitions of captaining the team, Federer acknowledged that older figures within the tennis community who belong to the next generation after Rod Laver rightfully deserve the role first.
The Laver Cup, which is held biennially, will see the upcoming edition taking place in Berlin from September 20-22, with Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe leading Team Europe and Team World, respectively. Interestingly, Federer voiced his fervent support for someone of the “50 to 65 age group” to take on the role of captaincy before him.
Furthermore, the conversation around the Laver Cup led to discussions about future venue plans, particularly ones outside of Europe. It has been revealed that there is a possibility for Saudi Arabia to become a hosting venue in the future. Despite scrutiny over the country’s human rights record, Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, declared Saudi Arabia as a potential location for hosting future Laver Cup tournaments. Emphasizing the universality of sport, Godsick pointed out that it holds the power to foster dialogue and bring about change.
In the face of the news about Federer’s future plans for the Laver Cup and the potential for Saudi Arabia to host the event, the tennis community is buzzing with excitement and intrigue. However, only time will tell if Federer will fulfill his dream of captaining Team Europe and if Saudi Arabia will indeed become a part of the tournament’s history. With the upcoming tournament set to take place in Berlin, all eyes are on the unfolding of events in the world of tennis, with fans eager to witness the sport’s evolution.