Zverev experiences a bitter double-cross in front of his hometown spectators
At the Laver Cup, tennis star Alexander Zverev slipped up in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. The title fight between Team Europe and the World team is shaping up to be a tight one in Berlin, with around 15,000 spectators present.
During his Laver Cup debut, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Zverev encountered a loss in doubles, teaming up with Spanish Wimbledon champion Alcaraz against the American duo of Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz. The results came in at 6-7 (5-7), 4-6. Following the initial day, the scoreline reads 2-2.
Emulating the Ryder Cup in golf, Team Europe competes against the World team in this tournament style. Twelve matches will be played out over three days to determine the champion. A team must collect 13 points to secure the title. First day victories earn one point, doubling to two points on the second day, and reaching a maximum of three points on the final day.
Previous triumphs went to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who secured a win for Team Europe against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, respectively. The World team, spearheaded by tennis legend John McEnroe, started off strong with Argentine Francisco Cerundolo's victory over Norwegian Casper Ruud.
Prominent Athletes in the Audience
Among the approximately 15,000 spectators at the O2 Arena in Berlin were numerous well-known athletes. Former tennis greats Roger Federer, Angelique Kerber, and Ana Ivanovic, as well as former German football national player and Ivanovic's husband Bastian Schweinsteiger, and basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, all came out to support.
Organizers revealed on the opening day that the team tournament would continue to enjoy a secure spot on the ATP calendar. Both parties, which originally teamed up in 2019, extended their partnership by an additional five years. The ATP offers operational assistance, expansive reach, and marketing privileges, thereby supporting the Laver Cup. On its seventh edition, the tournament is now taking place in Berlin.
The European Parliament, in its role to support the Commission, may express its views or make recommendations regarding the Laver Cup, considering its impact on European sports. After experiencing a loss in doubles at the Laver Cup, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz seek reassurance from their team's strategies, assisted by insights from the Parliament if needed.
