“I’ll pick Team Europe,” Roger Federer backs home side ahead of Laver Cup in London

Key Takeaways

• Roger Federer returned to London’s O2 Arena 4 years after his retirement, expressing joy at being back in the city for the 9th edition of the Laver Cup.
• Federer highlighted that “Team World has been really strong in the last years”, but chose Team Europe as favorites on home soil.
• The tournament features Team Europe led by Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz against Andre Agassi’s Team World featuring Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and debutant Learner Tien.

Emotional London return for tournament founder

Four years after hanging up his racket in an emotionally charged farewell at London’s O2 Arena, Roger Federer has returned to the very same venue for the 9th edition of the Laver Cup. The Swiss legend founded the team competition in 2017, and his latest visit marks a stark contrast in tone compared to his retirement in 2022.

“I am great. Happy to be back in London. Love this city and it’s good. It’s Labour Cup time again,” Federer reflected. Looking back on the memories tied to the arena, he added: “Feels definitely very special to returning to the O2 Arena where I retired four years ago. A lot of emotions. I remember that year when I came back for the retirement was rainy. It was kind of a sad atmosphere. I thought this week is like really sunshine and happy.”

While his farewell was emotionally challenging, the 20-time Grand Slam champion looks back fondly on the occasion. “It was a heavy week, a beautiful week in hindsight. One that I really got to enjoy and it’s great to be back,” he said, noting how closely knit the tournament community remains. “Labor Cuper is my family. So, we know each other. So, it’s good to see all the people from the Labor Cup and then also the players. And they’re going to make magic this week unlike myself that maybe I was the main attraction, let’s say, four years ago.”

Looking forward to new talent and proven stars

With Yannick Noah captaining Team Europe and Andre Agassi leading Team World over three days of competition, Federer noted that he does not have a single match circled on the schedule. Instead, he is excited to observe emerging talents and established champions alike.

“I wouldn’t say I have a specific match which I’m looking forward to. I just like seeing maybe some players maybe I’ve never seen before play live for the first time,” Federer explained. “Like Leonard Tien as an example. I don’t know. It just comes to my mind. I like looking forward to see him make his labor cup debut.”

Federer also pointed to the stars anchoring the European lineup. “Always a pleasure to see Alcaras play. And then also I must say Zer with his two slams this year and the finals you know also at Wimbledon he’s been on an incredible run and be great to see him play live again,” he said, recalling his personal history inside the venue. “I think I’ve played 45 times in this arena, so I know how amazing the fans can be and I hope they’re going to show it again.”

Federer makes his prediction for the trophy

Team Europe triumphed in the first 4 editions of the event, but Team World has seized control recently by winning 3 of the last 4, including last year’s victory in San Francisco. Despite Team World’s recent surge, Federer leans toward the hosts.

“Team world has been really strong in the last years. Definitely not to be underestimated even though I think on paper team Europe seems like the favorite,” Federer stated. “I mean, as we don’t know quite the matchups and the lineups yet while I’m speaking, I’d say that, I’ll pick team Europe. Playing at home here in Europe, I think, they’re going to be in better shape. That’s just my personal opinion.”

Beyond the final result, Federer emphasized that the team format serves as a vital bridge between generations, offering rising athletes direct access to experienced leaders and peers.

“I think seeing the young generation come through as well in the labor cup is one of the key elements to the labor cup is that the the young players can learn from the players of today say Alcarz and Zerv as an example and then learn from their captains respectively let’s say Agassi, Noah, Henman and Rafter and then leave hopefully with incredible sort of motivation,” he said.

Federer also addressed how his subsequent induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport helped him fully process leaving the tour: “When you stand there in a suit and you really truly give it a go of trying to show gratitude to the game and to people and everyone, it feels very different. So I think those four years have been really key in also not closing a chapter but maybe turn the page a little bit on my tennis career in a good way.”

Confirmed rosters for London

The 2 squads feature a mix of top-ranked contenders and promising debutants competing across 3 days at the O2 Arena: