TEAM EUROPE GETS LOOK AT WARRIORS’ INNER SANCTUM

Jimmy Butler is a diehard tennis fan. So much so that, instead of taking a breather during this year’s NBA All-Star break, the 6-foot-7 forward known as ‘Jimmy Buckets’ hopped a plane for Doha to go see his favorite player, Carlos Alcaraz, in action at the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open.

Butler’s Golden State Warriors teammate Steph Curry is a bit of a tennis head, too. The two-time NBA MVP could be found courtside earlier this month at the US Open taking in the Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner men’s singles final. And there’s Warriors power forward Gui Santos, who’s a big backer of his countryman, the Brazilian teen sensation João Fonseca.

So it seems fitting that Laver Cup 2025 should come to the Chase Center, home turf for the Warriors. On Wednesday, members of Team Europe, including Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Jakub Mensik and alternate Tomáš Macháč, got a chance to visit the team’s practice state-of-the-art facility located just below the 18,000-seat arena. They even shot around with Santos and guard/small forward Moses Moody.

“Having these courts underneath the stadium, it’s phenomenal,” said the 6-foot-6 German Zverev, who had no problem dunking a ball on command. “It’s a great training facility. That’s why the players feel so comfortable here. I already told them, if they need another five-on-five player, I’ll be here for the next few days.”

The Laver Cup has afforded Zverev an opportunity to visit the home arenas of the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, but this was special. Though he’s a professed Miami Heat supporter, the world No. 3 says he’s been rooting for the Dubs of late.

“If you’re an NBA fan, you’ve always known about the Warriors. It’s definitely the team that I watch the most.” — Alexander Zverev

“Since Jimmy’s come on board, yes,” said Zverev, a nod to the six-time NBA All-Star Butler, who was traded to Golden State by Miami in February. “I love Steph. I love how the Warriors play. You always watch them. If you’re an NBA fan, you’ve always known about the Warriors. It’s definitely the team that I watch the most.”

“It’s great to be here,” echoed the Czech Macháč. “It’s such a special opportunity to see the stadium and everything. I’ve watched them many times. Steph Curry is one of my favorite players. It’s a pretty nice setup.”

Santos got to meet Fonseca when the 19-year-old was coming off the practice court.

“Everybody in Brazil has been watching him,” said Santos, 23. “The last big idol we had in tennis was Guga [three-time Roland Garros champion and former No.1 Gustavo Kuerten]. He’s so young and playing at such a high level. It’s a pleasure for us to see. When I found out that he was coming here to play, I was saying, ‘I’ve got to meet him.’”

“It makes me very happy, especially because he’s representing my country,” he added. “I know how tough it is to get to that level. When you see a guy achieve this goal, you know how hard he’s had to work to get in the position he’s in right now.”

So which sport is tougher, tennis or basketball?

“In basketball, we have more physical contact with players on the other teams, but I get tired just watching tennis matches,” said Santos with a laugh. “All that change of direction. We do that a lot on defense in basketball. We change direction quick like they do, but in tennis you have to have such great endurance. I think it’s even tougher than basketball.”

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