"It's going to be different" - Carlos Alcaraz ready to team up with his rivals for Laver Cup

Carlos Alcaraz is all set to make his highly anticipated debut at the 2024 Laver Cup. Touted as one of the most awaited events in the ATP Tour, the Laver Cup founded by the legendary Roger Federer, pits the best European players against the top players from around the world. Alcaraz, who has already registered his name among the best of Tennis at just 21-years-old, will take on the event for the first time. The 2024 season proved successful for the young prodigy as he pocketed the Wimbledon title beating Novak Djokovic and the Roland Garros. However, the season hit a slope as Alcaraz missed out on the gold at the Paris Olympics before marking a shockingly early exit from the US Open. Now, the youngster has sought a break from the ongoing Davis Cup before he debuts in the Laver Cup.

"I wanted to be a part of it" - Carlos Alcaraz excited for his maiden Laver Cup stint

Coming to Laver Cup, Alcaraz was set to share the court with Rafael Nadal. However, the Tennis great has since withdrawn from the tournament due to fitness concerns. Nonetheless, as part of the European team, Alcaraz will play with the likes of Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev. Moreover, the youngster along with Team Europe will be led by the legendary Bjorn Borg. After enduring a forgettable outing in the recently concluded US Open, the Laver Cup provides a chance for Alcaraz to end the year on a high note. Talking about the event ahead of his participation, the World No. 3 expressed that he always wanted to play in the tournament.

“I love it, and I wanted to be part of it. It’s a serious competition. I think we have to represent Europe, you know, in the best way possible. The prestige that this tournament has, and, being a Laver Cup champion is a huge thing,” he said.

The Wimbledon champion, furthermore, talked about getting the chance to play under the modern-day legend, Bjorn Borg. Alcaraz highlighted the role of the Swedish star in improving the stature of the sport through his game. Interestingly, the 2024 Laver Cup will be last for Borg as the captain as the Swedish icon is set to pass the leading baton to the 1983 French Open champion, Yannick Noah from the next edition.

“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,” Alcaraz said about playing under Borg.

While Alcaraz will set out to play along the Europeans with a common goal to win the trophy, Alcaraz noted that it might be ‘weird’ to play with his ‘rivals’ in the Laver Cup. Joining Team Europe, Alcaraz will join forces with Casper Ruud, Stefano Tsitsipas along with Medvedev. In the opposition, Team Europe has the American Tennis star Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton as they come together to form Team World.

 "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," admitted Alcaraz when questioned about teaming up with his competitors in Team Europe.

Carlos Alcaraz will take on the Laver Cup after scripting season's another impressive performance at the Davis Cup. The Spaniard won two singles and one doubles rubber against France to put Spain in the Davis Cup finals. While on a break now, the Davis Cup proved to be an insight into Alcaraz's brilliance in the game, if by any chance the Roland Garros had let the doubt sneak in after his US Open exit. The 21-year-old with his WImbledon and Roland Garros title win registered his name among the five men to have completed the 'Channel Slam' in the open era.