The weekend was filled with great tennis action from the Laver Cup as Team Europe won its third consecutive title in Geneva. Led by tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Team Europe defeated Team World winning the cup 13-11. The Cup started in 2017 and has sold out tickets at the last three tournaments. The cup has provided fans with unique moments like the first doubles match Federer and Nadal played together in Prague.
Dream come true
The two have been competing for the last decade and a half and have been involved in some spectacular matches. Since the tournament began, they have been playing on the same team and have developed a close relationship. At this year’s event, the two were seen on the sidelines coaching and offering advice to each other and their Team Europe teammates. Stefanos Tsitsipas was playing in his first Laver Cup and has spoken about the two superstars. The 21-year-old played with both Federer and Nadal in doubles matches and has said that it was a dream come true for him to play with two of the greatest players of this era.
Funny side of Federer and Nadal
Tsitsipas has also revealed that he spent some time off the court with Federer and Nadal. He has expressed his delight at interacting with them, saying that he saw a different side to the two Grand Slam winners at the cup.
He said, “I enjoy the company of everyone, even the coach, and the captains. We kind of get to know each other better, and, I mean, it’s unbelievable because I see another side of Roger and Rafa when I’m spending time with them which I didn’t know existed before.”
Federer and Nadal have always been professional with the media throughout their careers. The Greek, however, revealed that socializing with the two was an enjoyable experience and that they have a funny side rarely seen in the media. “When you are seeing them at the press conference, they are completely different from what they are outside the press room, which is really nice to see. We laugh a lot. We have fun.” With the tournament now over, the Greek player is looking forward next year’s event after enjoying the company of the two superstars. “I really wish we could do this more often, because, I don’t know, it’s nice sharing.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.7, Stefanos played his last match on the 26th of September when he lost to Adrian Mannarino 3-6 7-5 ret. in the 2nd round in Zhuhai.
This year the Greek has a 37-20 win-loss record. Tsitsipas has won 2 titles in 2019 in Marseille and in Estoril. Stefanos was the finalist in Dubai and in Madrid.
Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.3, Roger played his last match on the 3rd of September when he had to bow to Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the quarter in U.S. Open.
This year the Swiss has a 43-7 win-loss record. Federer clinched 3 titles in 2019 in Dubai, in Miami and in Halle. Roger was the finalist in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roger Federer played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Federer.
The last time that they fought against each other, Roger Federer won 6-4 6-4 in the final in Dubai in 02nd March 2019.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer |
Embed from Getty Images |