The Laver Cup returns to the United States this year.
Entering into its eighth edition, it’s quickly become a popular event on the men’s tennis calendar.
The Sporting News explains how one of the sport’s most iconic athletes, Roger Federer, helped bring the concept to life.
MORE: Laver Cup history and all-time results
How Roger Federer helped create the Laver Cup
Roger Federer played a crucial role in the creation of the Laver Cup.
While still in his playing days, the Swiss star was inspired to create a tennis event similar to the Ryder Cup.
The popular golf tournament pits a team of Europeans against a team of players from around the world.
Alongside his agent Tony Godsick, Federer was able to turn the idea into a reality.
With an emphasis on celebrating different generations of tennis, they opted to name the event after 11-time grand slam champion Rod Laver.
The combination of a unique scoring system, current tennis stars, legendary captains and exciting doubles pairings was an instant hit.
Taking place in a darkened, dramatic arena in Prague, it was also a success on the television screen.
The Laver Cup has taken place every year since – bar 2020, due to COVID-19 – and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Does Roger Federer own the Laver Cup?
Yes, Federer co-owns the Laver Cup.
He formed management company Team8 alongside his agent, Godsick, before conceptualising the event.
They also partnered with Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia to bring it to life.
Federer is no stranger to ownership and investment.
He is a shareholder in Swiss sportswear company On, where he collaborates on product development.
The 43-year-old also has a deal with Japanese clothing mega-brand Uniqlo.
What is the difference between the Laver Cup and the Davis Cup?
The Laver and Davis Cups are both premier international team tennis events, but with some key differences.
Continents are pitted against each other in the Laver Cup, with Team Europe taking on Team World. Meanwhile, individual nations go head-to-head in the Davis Cup.
As for format, the Davis Cup is a three-day, exhibition-style event. The Davis Cup, on the other hand, is a multi-round tournament featuring group and knockout stages.
The Laver Cup is also a considerably newer event, having debuted in 2017. In contrast, the first Davis Cup – which was originally known as the International Lawn Tennis Challenge – took place in 1900.
Where is the Laver Cup in 2025?
San Francisco’s Chase Center will host the Laver Cup for the first time this year.
The venue is home to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries.
Chase Center boasts a capacity of 18,000 for basketball and 19,500 for concerts, although its tennis capacity is currently unknown.
It will mark the third time the event has been played in the United States, following on from Chicago’s United Center (2018) and Boston’s TD Garden (2021).
The Laver Cup is scheduled for September 19-21.
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