Alcaraz Leads Team Europe as Laver Cup Returns to San Francisco

Posted : 19 September 2025

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is back on court for the first time since his US Open triumph, headlining Team Europe’s campaign to defend their Laver Cup title against Team World in San Francisco.

The three-day tournament begins on Friday at Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

This year’s edition features a major change in leadership. France’s Yannick Noah replaces Bjorn Borg as captain of Team Europe, while former American star Andre Agassi takes over from John McEnroe as captain of Team World.

Europe, who lifted the trophy in Berlin last year, have claimed five of the seven editions so far. Team World’s lone victory on North American soil came in Vancouver in 2023.

Team Europe will compete without world No. 2 Jannik Sinner and fourth-ranked Novak Djokovic, but Noah still boasts a strong lineup. Alongside Alcaraz are world No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany, Denmark’s Holger Rune, Norway’s Casper Ruud, Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli.

Mensik arrives in fine form after helping the Czech Republic secure a Davis Cup finals spot, adding to his Miami Masters success earlier this season.

Alcaraz, who landed in San Francisco earlier this week sporting new platinum hair, is fresh off his memorable US Open victory against Sinner on September 7.

Team World, meanwhile, face setbacks after the withdrawals of Americans Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe. Still, Agassi’s team features top-10 stars Taylor Fritz of the United States and Alex de Minaur of Australia, joined by rising prospects Alex Michelsen, Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, and American Reilly Opelka.

Fonseca, just 19, becomes the youngest player ever to compete in the Laver Cup and admitted he was in awe meeting co-founder Roger Federer earlier in the week.

The action begins with Ruud facing Opelka, with the Norwegian holding a perfect 4-0 record against the big-serving American.

Fonseca will then make his debut against Cobolli in the night session, while Mensik takes on Michelsen in the day’s second singles match. Alcaraz is scheduled to close Friday’s play in doubles alongside Mensik against Fritz and Michelsen.

The competition format awards one point for each win on Friday, two points per match on Saturday, and three points per match on Sunday. The first team to reach 13 points will lift the trophy.

Alcaraz Leads Team Europe as Laver Cup Returns to San Francisco

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