Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic react to Laver Cup joining ATP Tour
Laver Cup, the event where Europe’s best players clash with rest of the world’s champions, became an ATP Tour event after only two editions.
The event which is named after the great Rod Laver will benefit from the logistics and the services ATP offer to the other tournaments, but it won’t give the possibility for players to earn ranking points. Anyway, Laver Cup is expected to have considerable growth after this great partnership.
"The Laver Cup team is incredibly excited about this partnership with the ATP. It has always been our hope to build the Laver Cup in partnership with the tennis world, and certification by the ATP after only two editions is an overwhelming validation of our vision,”, said Tony Godsick, the Chairman of the Laver Cup.
Godsick also explained what Laver Cup is all about: "We created the Laver Cup to celebrate the greats of the game - past, present and future - and growing interest in our great sport of tennis.”
Tennis legends like Federer, Djokovic, McEnroe and Bjorn Borg also commented on the new partnership between Laver Cup and ATP.
Roger Federer, who was involved in founding Laver Cup, was very pleased with the news: "As I come closer to the end of my playing career, it's wonderful to know that the Laver Cup will be part of the tour that I've dedicated more than 20 years of my life to. This partnership is a wonderful example of how the tennis family can unite to promote and grow the sport we all love."
The World Nr.1, Novak Djokovic, praised Laver Cup as well: "The Laver Cup is a true celebration of tennis that is loved by the fans and embraced by the players. I experienced it first hand as a player, and as President of the ATP Player Council I'm proud to support this collaboration.”
Rod Laver’s reaction was filled with gratitude for ATP’s decision and for Federer’s constant support: “I am grateful to the ATP for recognising that the Laver Cup plays an important role in raising awareness of the amateur era of tennis and my fellow 'barnstormers”. I am honoured and thankful for what has been achieved and to Roger for doing this for us.”
In Laver Cup, two teams – Team Europe and Team World -, led by two captains, confront each other. The captains for the first three editions are former rivals John McEnroe (for team Europe) and Bjorn Borg (for team World). The first two editions were won by Borg’s team. The two captains showed their gratitude and appreciation as well. “"Anyone who has seen the Laver Cup knows this is an event that everyone had to get behind. I am proud to have been a part of its genesis and thankful to the ATP for choosing to endorse it,”, said McEnroe.
"The Laver Cup is my favourite week of the year. I have enjoyed working with all the generations of players and being in front of the fans once again.”, declared Bjorn Borg.
This year, Laver Cup will take place from 22 to 24 September in Geneva, Switzerland.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2HUckOr
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