An Enduring Legacy: In His Closing Laver Cup, Bjorn Borg Captains Carlos Alcaraz
Geneva, 18 September 2024 – Six of Europe’s greatest tennis gamers and 6 of their counterparts from the remainder of the world will collect in Berlin this week to contest the 2024 Laver Cup from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September. This distinctive males’s staff competitors has delivered spectacular and emotional scenes on court docket, with this 12 months marking a big second in its historical past. The 11-time Grand Slam® champion Bjorn Borg will captain Staff Europe for the ultimate time, main fellow Rolex Testimonee Carlos Alcaraz in his Laver Cup debut.
Having lately joined Borg in changing into one in every of solely six males to realize the Roland-Garros-Wimbledon title double, Alcaraz says:
“It’s actually thrilling to know that I shall be a part of the identical staff as Bjorn Borg and be captained by a legend of the game. He is a superb champion who took the sport to a brand new degree. It is going to be superb to be taught from him and compete collectively for Staff Europe. I’m trying ahead to having my opponents as teammates for as soon as – it’s what makes the Laver Cup so particular.”
As its Founding Accomplice, Rolex helps the Laver Cup’s need to honour tennis historical past and perpetuate the legacy of a few of the sport’s best gamers. Right here, 4 generations convene within the final tennis locker room. Rivals-turned-friends are reunited, legends share experience with the following era and, above all, teammates come collectively to rejoice their ardour for the sport. Borg has been on the helm of Staff Europe for the reason that inaugural occasion in 2017, guiding a number of Rolex Testimonees, together with Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, and Stéfanos Tsitsipás, to victory within the first 4 editions. Borg says:
“This 12 months shall be my final Laver Cup, however to have been part of it for the reason that starting has been implausible. For me, the occasion is a very powerful time of the 12 months, yearly, and it all the time shall be. I’m so very proud to be the captain of Staff Europe and to steer so many spectacular gamers who’re on the peak of their sport. I’m trying ahead to Berlin and most of all I hope we win the cup again.”
Testomony to a different exceptional tennis legacy, the occasion was named after Rod Laver, the one participant to have received all 4 Grand Slam® singles titles in the identical calendar 12 months, a feat he achieved twice; as an newbie in 1962, and as knowledgeable, unmatched to this present day in 1969. His identify represents the pursuit of excellence in an unparalleled surroundings. For Borg, that is what makes the Laver Cup particular. He provides:
“I’m actually trying ahead to seeing the dynamic throughout the staff. Though it’s a severe competitors, all of the gamers and captains have a variety of enjoyable collectively – they inform tales, I would even inform a couple of tales, too. Seeing the Rolex crown after I go to those distinctive occasions makes me extraordinarily proud. I really feel very honoured and comfortable that I’m a part of the Rolex household, and it seems like I’m nonetheless a part of the tournaments due to this relationship.”
The upcoming Laver Cup guarantees thrilling competitors and camaraderie as Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Stefanos Tsitsipas be a part of Alcaraz in motion on the Uber Enviornment within the German capital. Whether or not Staff Europe reclaims the trophy, or Staff World secures a 3rd successive victory, the 2024 version represents an thrilling new chapter on this fascinating occasion.
