With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup team tennis tournament, expectations are running high about the chance of seeing the two as doubles partners.
Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer, center, waves to fans as he attends a welcome ceremony together with other tennis players ahead of the Laver Cup at the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The three-day competition at the O2 Arena in Prague starts Friday, pitting a team of the best six European players against the top six from the rest of the world. No ATP rankings points will be awarded.
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With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup team tennis tournament, expectations are running high about the chance of seeing the two as doubles partners.
The three-day competition at the O2 Arena in Prague starts Friday, pitting a team of the best six European players against the top six from the rest of the world. No ATP rankings points will be awarded.
"I've played a lot against Rafa on so many occasions, in big matches," Federer said at Prague's picturesque Old Town Square. "I think in nine Grand Slam finals. Finally, to have him on my side it's a joy. We talked about playing doubles a long, long time ago. It never happened. Of course, I would love to share the side of the net this time around. We have to see how practice goes and then at the end Bjorn will take the ultimate decision."
"He's the captain, he's the boss here now," Nadal said. "I am just here to try my best, every time the captain wants me on court, I am just here to try to help the team to win the Laver Cup."
"There's a lot of expectations and everybody thinks we're going to win and play together then we bomb out," Federer said. "So, we better make sure we focus on just playing good doubles and if it works together at the same time, that'd be great.
Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem and Tomas Berdych are also on the European team to face Sam Querrey, John Isner, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock, Denis Shapovalov and Frances Tiafoe.
The tournament is to honor Rod Laver, an 11-time major champion who won two calendar-year Grand Slams. It will include three singles and one doubles match every day. Bjorn Bjorg captains Europe while John McEnroe does the same for the opponents.
Federer and Nadal were clear about their choice of a possible partner.
US tennis player John Isner waves to fans during a welcome ceremony of the Laver Cup at the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
"I've played a lot against Rafa on so many occasions, in big matches," Federer said at Prague's picturesque Old Town Square. "I think in nine Grand Slam finals. Finally, to have him on my side it's a joy. We talked about playing doubles a long, long time ago. It never happened. Of course, I would love to share the side of the net this time around. We have to see how practice goes and then at the end Bjorn will take the ultimate decision."
Nadal concurred.
"Of course, I would love (to play with Federer)," Nadal said. "It will be amazing if that happens. We've talked about that years ago to play in some tournament together. It didn't happen yet. We're looking forward to playing here, hopefully. Let's see if the captain allows us to play."
Borg has yet to decide how to form pairs for doubles, but suggested "there's a very good chance" for Federer and Nadal.
Tennis players and tennis legends representing teams of Europe and World gather for a welcome ceremony of the Laver Cup at the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
"He's the captain, he's the boss here now," Nadal said. "I am just here to try my best, every time the captain wants me on court, I am just here to try to help the team to win the Laver Cup."
Federer warned a victory was not a given even though the two are currently ranked No. 1 (Nadal) and No. 2 (Federer).
Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal, center, throws a ball to fans during a welcome ceremony of the Laver Cup at the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. The competition will pit a team of the best six European players against the top six from the rest of the world. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
"There's a lot of expectations and everybody thinks we're going to win and play together then we bomb out," Federer said. "So, we better make sure we focus on just playing good doubles and if it works together at the same time, that'd be great.
"I'm sure that the crowd would go absolutely crazy."
Tennis players representing team Europe with their captain Sweden's Bjorn Borg, right, and tennis legend Australia's Rod Laver, 2nd right, smile during a welcome ceremony of the Laver Cup at the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)