Carlos Alcaraz, prepared to compete in the Laver Cup 2024. Photo: Getty
From one team competition to another. With just a few days of rest in between, Carlos Alcaraz temporarily bids farewell to the Davis Cup, having qualified for the final phase, to focus on the 2024 Laver Cup. Despite not being able to share the court or tournament with Rafa Nadal again following the recent withdrawal of the Spaniard, Carlitos is eager to debut in an event completely different from the regular circuit. Although no points are awarded, the tournament endorsed by Roger Federer is an official part of the ATP calendar, and few are privileged to step onto the big stage.
“I love it, I have always wanted to be part of the tournament,” says Alcaraz himself in an interview with the official Laver Cup page. “It is a serious competition. I believe we have to represent Europe in the best way possible. The prestige of this tournament and being a Laver Cup champion is something huge,” says the Spanish player.
He won’t be alone in the tournament, as he will be on the same team with Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. “We’re going to have a lot of fun, I’m sure of that. Spending a lot of time with them and talking about something other than tennis is going to be different… and I like different things,” admits Alcaraz, who finds it strange to spend a week alongside his rivals in completely different conditions.
About Björn Borg, who will be his captain in the Laver Cup
“He was one of the players who took tennis to the highest level in sports. I hope to learn as much as I can from him. He is a tennis and sports legend. My father is also a great admirer of his, so being coached by Björn Borg is going to be a really important moment for me, for my career, for my life.”
This will be Carlos Alcaraz’s final tournament in Europe before he embarks on his journey to the American tour, where he is confirmed to participate in the 2024 ATP Beijing. The recent weeks have been somewhat challenging for the young Spaniard after an earlier than expected exit at the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season, although his positive performance in Valencia during the Davis Cup confirms that Alcaraz still has the energy to give his all for the remainder of the year.
