“Learn a Lot from the Likes of Roger”: Dominic Thiem Confirms Participation in Laver Cup 2021

Fresh from a nerve-wracking ATP Finals campaign, Dominic Thiem has confirmed his participation in the Laver Cup next year. Named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the team hard court event pits the world’s best against one another.

“Really Excited”: Dominic Thiem on Boston edition of Laver Cup

The event features twelve players, with one half of them representing Team Europe and the rest playing for Team World. Team World is a composite of players drawn from non-European countries.

Staged every year, the tournament is seen as the tennis equivalent of the Ryder Cup. A biennial team golfing event, the Ryder Cup pits the best from Europe against those from the US.

The next edition of the Laver Cup will be held at TD Garden in Boston from September 24-26, 2021.

The reigning US Open champion Thiem has featured in the tournament twice before – 2017 (Prague) and 2019 (Geneva). Confirming his participation for the 2021 edition of the event, the World No. 3 Austrian said, “The Laver Cup is a fantastic event and I’m really excited to be a part of Team Europe for the Boston edition.”

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Thiem holds 2-1 win/loss record at team event

The Austrian, who lost the ATP Finals title clash to Russian Daniil Medvedev this year, holds a 2-1 win/loss record at the team event. Turning out for Team Europe, Thiem posted his wins against big-serving American Josh Isner and 12-ranked Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Team Europe currently holds the bragging rights, having won the event for the third straight year in 2019. The race for the title went down to the wire last year before German Alexander Zverev clinched a 13-11 win for Team Europe. Currently placed No. 7 in the ATP players’ standings, Zverev pipped Canadian Milos Raonic in a 6-4, 3-6, 10-4 thriller to seal the win for Europe.https://twitter.com/LaverCup/status/1324713560212041728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“So much fun”: Thiem on Laver Cup experience

In both his runs at the team event, Thiem helped Team Europe to the title. “I’ve been lucky enough to be on the winning side at two of the three Laver Cups so far – in Prague and Geneva, and it’s really a unique event, like no other on the tour. I’m really looking forward to helping Team Europe capture a fourth title,” Thiem said.

“It’s so cool to be competing as part of a team with guys I’m normally facing across the net. We have so much fun together, but I also learn a lot from the likes of Roger (Federer) and Bjorn (Borg), who have so much experience in the game,” Thiem said.

The Swedish tennis stalwart and his yesteryear rival John McEnroe are the non-playing captains of the two teams. The unique team event was the brainchild of Federer. The Swiss Master joined hands with former Davis Cupper Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia to launch the event in 2017.