Laver Cup to become an annual event

Otacon

Otacon

Hall of Fame
Laver Cup organizers, responding to strong market demand, today announced plans to stage the event in 2020, and every year going forward.

The newest team event on the international tennis calendar, which pits six of the top male tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world, garnered global attention and high praise from many parts of the tennis world in its debut on a stylish black court before sell-out crowds in Prague in 2017.

The debut event culminated in a dramatic final match on the last day with Roger Federer saving a match point against Nick Kyrgios to thwart a stampeding Team World and secure Team Europe the inaugural Laver Cup. Players enjoyed the competition so much, that many said they could not wait to play it again.

Throughout the three-day tournament the 18,000 sell-out crowd was treated to entertainment innovations and ‘unrivaled’ competition in what proved to be one of the highlights of the tennis year.

The event clearly resonated with the sporting public, with tickets for this year’s edition in Chicago selling quickly and the European venue for 2019 to be revealed in the weeks to come.

Sponsorship support has also been stellar with prestige brands including founding partner Rolex, global sponsors Mercedes-Benz and JPMorgan Chase, and global suppliers Moet & Chandon, Wilson and Steve Furgal’s Tennis Tours all signing on since 2017.

NetJets has joined the partner coterie for 2018, along with event sponsor Grey Poupon.There will be further announcements on new partners and broadcasters in the coming weeks.

The appeal of the Laver Cup in Prague and Chicago has prompted the decision to stage the event in 2020.

“On the back of Prague, strong player interest, and the amazing public and commercial response for this year’s event in Chicago, we feel the time is right to publicly map out our next phase of growth,” Laver Cup managing director Steve Zacks explained.

“We initially scheduled the event for three consecutive years with the Olympic year off. But the strong demand compels us to build on the great momentum the Laver Cup has created by holding the event every year.

“The intense competition, great team chemistry, the black court, unique scoring system, innovative broadcast and superb fan experience all contributed to a benchmark we aim to exceed in Chicago and each year thereafter. There is no reason to take a year off.”

Zacks said a decision on the host city for 2020 will be made in due course.

https://lavercup.com/news/2018/07/10/laver-cup-become-annual-event
 
The governing bodies of tennis just can't help themselves. Don't you think that they may have learned a couple of things from golf and the Ryder Cup. Last time I checked the Ryder Cup was fairly successful.
 
Backspin1183 said:
Busta is looking forward to it.
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tenor.gif
 
I have always wondered if Rod Laver is getting any cut of the money, other than free transportation and lodging and food.
 
r2473 said:
I wonder if they will play in this for a few years after they retire? They can pretty much write the rules for an Exho any way they want to. And Federer has seemingly invested quite a bit into this, so he might do it.
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It's an exhibition, but so far it appears to be a serious-competition exo rather than a "run around in a kilt" exo. I think retired players might be leery of embarrassing themselves and hurting their team. But of course the role of "honorary captain" will always be available ....
 
Skipping the Olympic year made such good sense, but why let sense stand in the way of making more money? Guess Federer talking about Tokyo not being somewhere he's ever aspired to go to culminates with this :D
 
One question - Will McEnroe and Borg continue to be coaches?

McEnroe seemed to engage in the event but Borg was just sitting there awkwardly the entire time, not knowing what to say looking bored. And that was the first year. I can’t see him wanting to do this three years from now.
 
I've wondered which city it might be going to in Europe next.

Fred is definitely picking cities that don't have any big tennis tournaments but are still pretty populous.

Copenhagen
Oslo
Lisbon
Dublin

Are all possible locations. Even Berlin.
 
StANDAA said:
One question - Will McEnroe and Borg continue to be coaches?

McEnroe seemed to engage in the event but Borg was just sitting there awkwardly the entire time, not knowing what to say looking bored. And that was the first year. I can’t see him wanting to do this three years from now.
Click to expand...
I can see someone like Becker doing it unless he's busy with being the head of German Tennis Federation or Wilander.
 
r2473 said:
I wonder if they will play in this for a few years after they retire? They can pretty much write the rules for an Exho any way they want to. And Federer has seemingly invested quite a bit into this, so he might do it.
Click to expand...

Wonder?

This is Federer's (well Godsick's under Federer's wing) project, so he is certain to participate until it exists and the health allows (and there is noone of note to replace him).

8-)
 
JMR said:
The real test of the "market demand" for this event will occur when Fedal are no longer playing.
Click to expand...
I'm sure Fed will still be closely involved and will make guest appearances even after retirement to ensure sponsors stay on (the list of current sponsors basically looks identical to Fed's personal sponsors right now). And quite frankly as long as you stage it in a big city with lots of corporate interests who will buy expensive box suites it will probably be fine.
 
What do you all think they'll be beta testing this year?

Seems to be progressive as it comes. Any new tennis innovations going on display?

If this thing is to spur the ATP, I hope they do it with some impactful moves.
 
I think this is dangerous precedent for the tour. I don’t like how many players comment that the season is too long then go and play extra events for more money. I suddenly see how issues arose with Connors and the ATP/WTT in the 70s
 
r2473 said:
I wonder if they will play in this for a few years after they retire? They can pretty much write the rules for an Exho any way they want to. And Federer has seemingly invested quite a bit into this, so he might do it.
Click to expand...
Fed will almost certainly continue, since he is by far the biggest draw and has an obvious financial stake in it.

It will basically turn into a seniors event! Laver might as well play himself!
 
Otacon said:
Laver Cup organizers, responding to strong market demand, today announced plans to stage the event in 2020, and every year going forward.

The newest team event on the international tennis calendar, which pits six of the top male tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world, garnered global attention and high praise from many parts of the tennis world in its debut on a stylish black court before sell-out crowds in Prague in 2017.

The debut event culminated in a dramatic final match on the last day with Roger Federer saving a match point against Nick Kyrgios to thwart a stampeding Team World and secure Team Europe the inaugural Laver Cup. Players enjoyed the competition so much, that many said they could not wait to play it again.

Throughout the three-day tournament the 18,000 sell-out crowd was treated to entertainment innovations and ‘unrivaled’ competition in what proved to be one of the highlights of the tennis year.

The event clearly resonated with the sporting public, with tickets for this year’s edition in Chicago selling quickly and the European venue for 2019 to be revealed in the weeks to come.

Sponsorship support has also been stellar with prestige brands including founding partner Rolex, global sponsors Mercedes-Benz and JPMorgan Chase, and global suppliers Moet & Chandon, Wilson and Steve Furgal’s Tennis Tours all signing on since 2017.

NetJets has joined the partner coterie for 2018, along with event sponsor Grey Poupon.There will be further announcements on new partners and broadcasters in the coming weeks.

The appeal of the Laver Cup in Prague and Chicago has prompted the decision to stage the event in 2020.

“On the back of Prague, strong player interest, and the amazing public and commercial response for this year’s event in Chicago, we feel the time is right to publicly map out our next phase of growth,” Laver Cup managing director Steve Zacks explained.

“We initially scheduled the event for three consecutive years with the Olympic year off. But the strong demand compels us to build on the great momentum the Laver Cup has created by holding the event every year.

“The intense competition, great team chemistry, the black court, unique scoring system, innovative broadcast and superb fan experience all contributed to a benchmark we aim to exceed in Chicago and each year thereafter. There is no reason to take a year off.”

Zacks said a decision on the host city for 2020 will be made in due course.

https://lavercup.com/news/2018/07/10/laver-cup-become-annual-event
Click to expand...
Don’t like this. Show business.
 
StANDAA said:
One question - Will McEnroe and Borg continue to be coaches?

McEnroe seemed to engage in the event but Borg was just sitting there awkwardly the entire time, not knowing what to say looking bored. And that was the first year. I can’t see him wanting to do this three years from now.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Honestly, Fed and Rafa looked more like co-captains/coaches than Borg did for most of the event. I feel like a Lendl or Becker could make a much more engaging team captain/coach going forward. Becker has the same fieriness as Mac, while Lendl was once a big rival to Mac's and based on how much he helped Murray become a better player, Ivan just seems to be the type to have tons of ideas up his sleeve.
 
StANDAA said:
One question - Will McEnroe and Borg continue to be coaches?

McEnroe seemed to engage in the event but Borg was just sitting there awkwardly the entire time, not knowing what to say looking bored. And that was the first year. I can’t see him wanting to do this three years from now.
Click to expand...

That's how he played too.
People mistook his xanax indifference for an icy demeanour, when he was really just retrieving the ball like a labrador, with elevator music playing in his mind.
 
Hitman said:
You can say that about tennis in general to be fair.
Click to expand...

I think sometimes we on here don't realise how little tennis is beginning to matter. I'm in the UK and only once during the two weeks of Wimbledon did I hear any of my colleagues talking about it (admittedly the World Cup probably made some difference here). Monday morning in one of the national newspapers Djoko's win was five pages from the back - considered way less important than football and cricket. And that is Wimbledon in the UK - no way am I going to hear people talking about the US Open.
 
clout said:
Agreed. Honestly, Fed and Rafa looked more like co-captains/coaches than Borg did for most of the event. I feel like a Lendl or Becker could make a much more engaging team captain/coach going forward. Becker has the same fieriness as Mac, while Lendl was once a big rival to Mac's and based on how much he helped Murray become a better player, Ivan just seems to be the type to have tons of ideas up his sleeve.
Click to expand...

Borg was hopeless. I don't know why Lendl isn't being snapped up as a coach by someone. Jim Courier said at the FO that Lendl was keen to coach Zverev - why isn't Z biting his hand off???

I think Nadal enjoyed it. He still sounds undecided about playing here:

https://www.**************.org/tenn...laver-cup-or-not-rafael-nadal-reveals-it-all/

Don't see why if he'd finally decided against it he wouldn't just say so. Now Fed has got Djoko lined up it would probably be easier for the organisers to market that rather than waiting on Nadal so I can't see any reason for him talking like this unless he's genuinely undecided.
 
Fedforever said:
I think sometimes we on here don't realise how little tennis is beginning to matter. I'm in the UK and only once during the two weeks of Wimbledon did I hear any of my colleagues talking about it (admittedly the World Cup probably made some difference here). Monday morning in one of the national newspapers Djoko's win was five pages from the back - considered way less important than football and cricket. And that is Wimbledon in the UK - no way am I going to hear people talking about the US Open.
Click to expand...
When I see all the weirdos and hooligans who are attracted by football, I prefer that tennis does not become too popular.
 
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