One of the most exciting events on the tennis calendar takes place in Boston this coming weekend, as the Laver Cup is staged. It will be more captivating this weekend too, as it takes place over the same weekend as golf’s Ryder Cup. But, will Team Europe be able to retain the Laver Cup in the United States this weekend?
Laver Cup 2021 Preview
This year’s edition of the Laver Cup will be the fourth time that it has been staged. It was unfortunately cancelled last year due to the French Open taking place at the same time due to changes on the calendar due to COVID-19. The European team have dominated this competition throughout its history, winning on all four previous occasions.
The last time it was staged was in 2019, as the tournament took place in Geneva, Switzerland. Roger Federer was in excellent form throughout that competition, as he and Rafael Nadal guided the European team to a 13-11 victory. Alexander Zverev eventually claimed the important winning points when beating Milos Raonic on the final day of play.
Team Europe
However, this year’s event will be staged without either Nadal or Federer playing. Novak Djokovic will also not be competing for the European team as he continues to recover following a gruelling season chasing the Grand Slam. However, there are still six players involved in the competition this weekend that are ranked inside the top ten for Team Europe. The only player outside those rankings is Spanish player Feliciano Lopez, who is ranked 100th.
Europe will also be able to call upon two players that have achieved huge wins this year, with the US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev among the stars included. Team Europe will be led by Bjorn Borg, while Thomas Enqvist is the vice-captain. They will certainly be the favourites in the BetXchange betting to get the victory in the Laver Cup.
Team World
John McEnroe will lead Team World into the Laver Cup, as they look for a first ever victory in the competition. Patrick McEnroe will serve as the vice-captain, just as he did two years ago. Jack Sock, Nick Krygios and Denis Shapovalov are the only returning players for the team from the defeat that they suffered two years ago.
Sock was selected as the alternative player by McEnroe after impressing two years ago. The highest ranked player within their team is Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is ranked eleventh. The Canadian achieved career-best performances in all four Grand Slams this season, which included a semi-final appearance at the US Open. Diego Schwartzman, Reilly Opelka and John Isner round off the players that will be competed for the World team in the Laver Cup.
Laver Cup 2021 Prediction
The Laver Cup is often a very close affair, and the absences of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer will have an impact on the European team. However, they still have more than enough quality in reserve to get over the line. Young players such as Zverev, Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have all achieved great seasons, and that will end with success in the Laver Cup.
Pick: Team Europe at BetXchange.
