Team Europe gears up to defend their Laver Cup trophy

The 2025 Laver Cup gets underway on September 19 in San Francisco. Yannick Noah will captain reigning champions Team Europe, which consists of Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, and Jakub Menšík. Andre Agassi will captain Team World, which includes Alex de Minaur, Alex Michelsen, João Fonseca, Reilly Opelka, Francisco Cerúndolo, and Taylor Fritz.

At the event's outset, the players and personnel for Team Europe attended the press conference. Captain Noah hoped for a good showing from the reigning champions.

"Well, it's the third day and I'm not tired yet, so I'm very happy. So far, so good. I'm honored to be here, spend some time with the boys, and hopefully we'll be good this weekend."

Alternate Tomas Machac said:

"The guys are amazing and I'm enjoying the moment here. It's a great opportunity for me to be here. I was practicing quite well, though we don’t have the court for many hours, so I try to be on it as much as possible."

Flavio Cobolli, an alternate at the event in Berlin last year, shared his opening remarks:

"I really enjoyed this competition, and it’s a pleasure and honor to be here with these guys."

Jakub Menšík mentioned:

"My first experience with the Laver Cup was back in 2017 when I visited with my family. The first time the event was played was in Prague, and I was there as a young spectator. If someone had told me then that in a few years I’d be part of the team, helping to win the Cup, it would have felt unbelievable."

Vice captain Tim Henman mentioned:

"The way they've come together in the last couple of days, and the way we've been looked after with the facilities, the hotel, and the staff—it’s absolutely first class all the way. I’m really looking forward to getting started."

Casper Ruud said:

"I have some experience doing that in the past, and I look forward to doing it again and hopefully getting Team Europe off to a good start. It’s fun with some new boys on the team—three of them are rookies, as we’d say in Davis Cup terms. Carlos, Sasha, and I will try to guide them and be there if they need it, but they’re great players and I think they’ll do just fine."

Holger Rune expressed his excitement to be part of the event:

"All the guys are very nice, and we’ve had some good training sessions and dinners together. I feel very privileged to be here—it’s a beautiful event."

Alexander Zverev, who is the highest point-earner at the event with 21, said:

"I think everybody is doing just fine on their own, but we did talk about it last night. This event is very different—the intensity and competition are unlike other tournaments. If anyone needs advice or wants to talk, I’m always here for the boys. But I think all five rookies are handling it well."

2025 US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said:

"I think it was important to have some days off after the US Open before coming here. I just tried to get into good shape during that week to be ready."

Alcaraz was also asked if he sees himself as an ambassador for the game:

"I don’t feel the pressure at all. I just focus on myself and enjoy every moment on court and at the tournaments. I love seeing people enjoy watching tennis, and for me that’s the most important feeling."

Regarding the end-of-the-year tour set up, Zverev said:

"Nothing has changed over the last few months. We’ve all said it—it feels like we’re playing more and more, and the schedule is denser than ever. I’ve always felt tennis deserves a proper off-season."

A journalist asked Noah about the thrilling French Open final this year between Alcaraz and Yannick Sinner, and what that match did for tennis. He said:

"Three or four years ago, as tennis fans, we thought that after Roger, Rafa, and Novak, it was going to be a long haul—what’s going to happen next? And then suddenly these new champions arrived. I’m not a great technician, but I really believe in the energy they bring, because they’re such interesting and different characters out there."

Alcaraz was also asked about that match, and what his mental space was when he saved two championship points:

"I tried to use the good points and rallies to my favor, just to push myself in that moment, and after that everything went great. Physically it was really demanding, but I stayed there the whole time until a really tight five-set final. As I said, I think it was all about believing."

Flavio Cobolli will be up against Joao Fonseca in the first match. Asked about his pre-match thoughts, Cobolli said:

"I think everyone knows Jo’s potential—he’s a great player. But we’re here to try to beat him. I hope for the health of the team on the bench, and I’ll give my 100% tomorrow to try to beat him."

Alcaraz was then asked about his relationship with his team captain Noah.

"The first time I met him was last year at the Laver Cup. I didn’t get to know him much then, but it was nice. Since being here, I’ve seen he has great energy—he’s funny, and he tells good stories from the court, which is great."

The Laver Cup will run from September 19-21 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.