Laver Cup To Feature In ATP’s Calendar

The Laver Cup and the ATP have reached an agreement that will see the annual men’s team event, in which Europe takes on the rest of the world, an official part of the annual ATP Tour calendar.

Although no ranking points will be awarded to competitors, the agreement gives the event, now approaching its third competition in Geneva, Switzerland this September, access to ATP services, including marketing and social media, along with operational personnel such as officials and physios.

“The Laver Cup team is incredibly excited about this partnership with the ATP,” Tony Godsick, President and CEO of TEAM8, and Chairman of the Laver Cup, said.

“It has always been our hope to build the Laver Cup in partnership with the tennis world, and certification by the ATP after only two editions is an overwhelming validation of our vision.”

Roger Federer, a partner in TEAM8 who tasked his team with creating the Laver Cup to honour not just the great Rod Laver, but the coterie of tennis legends who paved the way for the success of the current game, said he was delighted with the news.

“As I come closer to the end of my playing career, it’s wonderful to know that the Laver Cup will be part of the tour that I’ve dedicated more than 20 years of my life to,” he said.

“This partnership is a wonderful example of how the tennis family can unite to promote and grow the sport we all love.”

Currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of winning the ‘Grand Slam’ for the second time in 1969, Rod Laver praised the ATP’s official endorsement of his namesake event which has further cemented his legacy.

“I am grateful to the ATP for recognizing that the Laver Cup plays an important role in raising awareness of the amateur era of tennis and my fellow ‘barnstormers’.

“I am honoured and thankful for what has been achieved and to Roger for doing this for us,” Laver said.

ATP Tournament Board Representative, Charles Humphrey Smith, said: “The Laver Cup showcases the world’s greatest male tennis players in a whole new way.

“It grows interest in the game which benefits all of us in the industry.”

The third edition of the Laver Cup will be held in Geneva, Switzerland on September 20-22, 2019.