Ant International’s Alipay+ to become Official Payment Partner of the Laver Cup

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 16, 2025--

Laver Cup and Alipay+, part of Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitization and financial technology provider, today formally announce a new long-term strategic partnership which will begin at Laver Cup San Francisco 2025, to be held at the Chase Center from September 19-21.

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The unified global wallet gateway Alipay+, along with WorldFirst and Antom – which are operated by Ant International – will become the Official Payment Partner of the Laver Cup through 2029. Ant Group's flagship service Alipay, an all-in-one digital platform for daily services in China will also join Alipay+ in the partnership.

Ant International, with its associated brands Alipay+, WorldFirst and Antom, and Ant Group’s Alipay will play an important role in supporting the Laver Cup to drive fanbase growth and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region via its digital payment partners which serve over 1.7 billion consumers.

“We are delighted to formally announce the launch of this strategic relationship with Alipay+ and associated payment partners," said Steve Zacks, Laver Cup CEO.

“This collaboration brings together two global entities committed to creating exceptional experiences and connecting fans worldwide through the synergy of sport and technology. We are looking forward to growing our fanbase in Asia while supporting Alipay+ with growth in their key markets.”

Ant International has collaborated on prestigious sporting partnerships around the world, including UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, and with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the UK, leveraging its strengths to drive digital engagement and financial inclusion for local businesses.

Peng Yang, Ant InternationalCEO said: "As a financial technology provider committed to driving inclusive growth for businesses of all sizes with our innovative solutions, Ant International is deeply inspired by what the Laver Cup stands for: unrelenting pursuit of excellence among a community of the best and the bravest.”

“We look forward to supporting the Laver Cup with creative branding, marketing and fan engagement activities throughout our ecosystem of customers and partners across 200 markets, to further spread its vision and inspiration. We are joining hands to build a lasting legacy that will connect new generations of fans in every corner of the globe.”

Ant International offers seamless and secure payment solutions to users across more than 200 countries and regions. Renowned for its cutting-edge technology and commitment to innovation, Alipay+ has become a trusted solution for digital transactions, enabling businesses and consumers to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The Laver Cup pits six of the best men’s tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the World in a three-day tournament named in honor of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the only man to win two calendar-year Grand Slams.

Played on a dramatic black court, the competition alternates annually between Europe and ’rest of the world’ cities. The Laver Cup’s eighth edition will take place this coming weekend at the iconic Chase Center in San Francisco, from September 19-21.

A very limited number of Laver Cup 2025 tickets remain. Tickets are still available for Open Practice Day presented by FICO held on Thursday, September 18, for $20 ($31.65 inclusive of fees). All tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of the Chase Center.

For further event updates, news, special offers and more, fans are encouraged to register as a ‘Laver Cup Insider’ at lavercup.com.

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The Laver Cup is a joint initiative between TEAM8, Tennis Australia, the USTA and Jorge Paulo Lemann and is an official part of the ATP Tour calendar, with results recorded on official player records.

The Laver Cup is supported by Founding Partner Rolex and Global Sponsors UBS, Mercedes-Benz and Alipay+.

Ant International’s Alipay+ to become Official Payment Partner of the Laver Cup

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)