LAVER CUP INSIDE VIEW: BACK TO THE FUTURE

Take a deep dive into Laver Cup San Francisco 2025 to find out what’s happening between the white lines.

Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz Chat

The Laver Cup team benches on Wednesday filled with generational fame. Alongside the Laver Cup trophy, tournament namesake Rod Laver stopped by in his grey suit to chat with the likes of Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz.

“We are ready,” Alcaraz told Laver. “We don’t know what is going to happen, but it will be fun.” Laver agreed. “It brings out the best in each other,” he said. As Laver, Alcaraz and Holger Rune started discussing the speed of the court, Laver recounted a time “we used to play on wooden courts. It is fast and quick, and it is over before you know it,” he said.

Federer entered next, telling Laver, who is nicknamed the Rocket, he was looking good. “Look good, feel good, Rocket,” Federer said. The two then discussed San Francisco’s Chase Center, how the center hung videoboard is as large as the tennis court, the speed of courts and the need for players to play Laver’s signature slice. “The slice stays nice and low, Rocket,” Federer noted. “The boys don’t use it enough anymore.”

Shooting Hoops with the Warriors

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos was shocked when he walked out to the Chase Center floor and saw the black Laver Cup tennis court in place of the hardwood. The only Brazilian in the NBA was accompanied by Team Europe players Alex Zverev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Jakob Mensik and Tomas Machac. The group then made their way down a few steps near the Laver Cup locker rooms into the Warriors’ performance center where a basketball awaited the tennis stars.

Zverev wasted no time, taking the first shot from just inside the three-point-line on the Warriors’ practice court and draining it, leading Ruud to proclaim him the best basketball player of the tennis bunch.

“I trained in Florida,” Zverev explained about his basketball history, “and in Florida everybody plays [basketball].” He still follows the sport, watching the NBA during the season, specifically tracking German players and his friend, Jimmy Butler.

As the group of players took turns taking shots—Zverev dunked the ball with ease for the cameras and Ruud called free throws “penalties” and encouraged each of the players to take five shots from the foul line—Golden State guard Moses Moody joined the crew. Soon the tennis players and basketball players were exchanging tales of life in professional sports, especially as Moody learned how the tennis season calendar works and how players gain ranking points. Santos said he especially appreciated learning how these players from across the world followed him and his sport.

Santos has one more meeting he’s looking forward to over the weekend: time with fellow countryman Joao Fonseca. Santos said that the two of them, along with F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto, are the three big names in worldwide sport right now in Brazil and he’s eager to meet the young Team World player and watch Laver Cup unfold.

Three Generations of Aussies

There was more discussion of the value of slice and the volley when three generations of Australian tennis met on Center Court. Rod Laver watched Alex de Minaur practice with Team World vice captain Patrick Rafter looking on before the three met at the bench.

The trio discussed how the slice shot is an Aussie special that gets passed down from one generation to the next. “We all know it is a crime to miss them,” De Minaur said about the slice and volley. “As Aussies, we cannot miss them.” Laver told De Minaur to use his “happy feet” to get into position. “We are the right size,” Laver said, “you can stay down low enough.”

Yannik Noah with a Toe Injury

New Team Europe captain Yannik Noah was the first to go to the training room on Wednesday. The fashion icon opted for no socks with his sneakers, leading to a tight fit and pain. He was seen coaching barefoot on the black court of Laver Cup until he came back from the trainers with tape on his toes. “Yeah,” he said, “they fixed it.”

Carlos Alcaraz Showing Off his New Look

Carlos Alcaraz continues to make fashion moves during his American tour. Ahead of the US Open he showcased his buzz cut. Laver Cup fans will be the first to see Alcaraz play sporting his new silver dye hair. “The black hair is growing,” he said, “so we will see how long it lasts.”

Getting Spiffy for the Iconic Photo

As players donned the BOSS ONE Suit for their venture to the Presidio of San Francisco for the Laver Cup iconic photo with the Golden Gate Bridge in the backdrop, Team Europe vice captain Tim Henman was ready to take on the art of tying a tie—plenty of the other players, including captain Yannick Noah, were happy letting the folks from BOSS handle the ties.

Henman said he knows how to tie three quality knots but opted for the half Windsor for the San Francisco evening (the full Windsor just wouldn’t of worked because it would have been too much fabric). As the players streamed in—and out—of the hotel on their way to the water’s shore, Italian Flavio Cobolli knew this was his moment to shine. “I feel Italian,” he said, adding he enjoyed the opportunity to dress sharp for the event. When asked what his goal of the evening was, Carlos Alcaraz minced no words. “Look good,” he said. “For me, the goal is not looking bad.”

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