Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Roger Federer is the cynosure of all eyes as he is set to play competitive Tennis for one final time at the Laver Cup 2022 that begins on 23rd September, Thursday. Federer will play for Team Europe and will team up with players like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray with whom he has shared some great rivalry over his glittering 24-year old career. As the Tennis fraternity gears up for a grand farewell for the Swiss legend, InsideSport takes a look at Team Europe’s line-up. Follow Laver Cup 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: From Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray, Check Out the star-studded Team Europe’s line-up for Laver Cup 2022
This will be the fifth edition of the Laver Cup 2022 and for the first time in the history of the tournament, the “Big Four” in Men’s Tennis – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, will team up together. The team will be captained by Tennis legend Bjorn Borg and also comprise World No.2 Casper Ruud, World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini, who has been selected as an alternate player.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer has been out of action ever since his quarterfinal exit at the 2021 Wimbledon. The Swiss legend soon suffered a knee injury and underwent a third surgery that year and was recuperating from it. He missed the entire 2022 season but was expected to make a return at the Laver Cup. However, just few days before the tournament he announced his decision to hang up his boots that shook the Tennis fraternity. In his retirement post on his social media accounts, he wrote, “The last three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I have worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I know my body limits. The message has been clear. Now I must recognize it is time to end my competitive career.” Federer said in a video on social media.
Federer will now play for one last time at the 02 Arena in London and will feature only in the doubles. He will be playing on Friday alongside his rival and friend Rafael Nadal on Friday. The duo will face Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the last match on Friday and would like to end his career with a victory.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal enjoyed a good season as he won two Grand Slam titles this year. He started the year with the Australian Open title and also won the French Open, making him the only men’s player to win 22 Grand Slam titles. He suffered a groin injury at the Wimbledon and withdrew from the tournament ahead of his semifinal contest against Nick Kyrgios. He then bowed out from the fourth round at the US Open after losing to Frances Tiafoe. The Spaniard is now making his return after a short break and will partner Roger Federer for the historic match. Speaking about it, he said, “After all the amazing things we shared together on and off the court, to be part of this historic moment is going to be something amazing and unforgettable for me. Super excited.”
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has had a bittersweet year so far. While he won his 21st Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon this year and surpassed Roger Federer’s tally of 20 Grand Slam title wins, he was not allowed to participate in the Australian Open and the US Open due to his non-vaccination status. Before winning the Wimbledon, he won the Italian Open title, which was his first title of the year. Ever since the Wimbledon, he didn’t participate in any tournament and is set to make his return to the Laver Cup after 2018.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray is all set to make his debut in the Laver Cup as he will play for Team Europe for the first time in his career. The 35-year old joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career, that makes it the first as well as the last time all the ‘Big Four’ in Tennis will be seen together in the tournament. Murray made a good return to the circuit this year. He finished as runner-up at Syndey International and Stuttgart Open. He skipped the French Open this year, but faced second round defeats at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. At the US Open he made it to the third round and lost to Matteo Berrettini, which was his last match ahead of Laver Cup.
Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud had a terrific run in 2022 that helped him reach World No.2 in the rankings. Ruud reached the final at the French Open and the US Open and finished as runner-up in both the Grand Slam events after losing the final against Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz respectively.He missed the Australian Open this year due to an injury and faced second round exit at the Wimbledon. He won the Argentina Open, Geneva Open and Swiss Open titles and also finished as runner up at Miami Open.
Matteo Berrettini
Italian Matteo Berrettini was drafted in later to the Laver Cup Squad as a back-up player and is now likely to feature in the singles replacing Roger Federer’s spot. Berrettini, who was a finalist at Wimbledon last year had a mixed season this year so far. He started the year by reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open but then missed the entire clay season as he suffered an injury on his right hand that required surgery. He made his return ahead of the grass court season and immediately won back-to-back titles in Stuttgart Open and Queen’s Club Championships. He finished as runner-up at the Swiss Open and crashed out from the quarterfinals at the US Open. He is set to make his Laver Cup debut.
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: From Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray, Check Out the star-studded Team Europe’s line-up for Laver Cup 2022
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