BERRETTINI AND PAUL NAMED AS ALTERNATES FOR LAVER CUP 2022
September 17, 2022
US Open quarterfinalist Matteo Berrettini will represent Team Europe and fast-rising American Tommy Paul joins Team World for the fifth edition of the Laver Cup at The O2 from September 23-25.
Berrettini is currently ranked No.15 and has had another exceptional season, despite sustaining an injury to his right hand that required surgery, which prevented the Italian from competing on the clay court swing.
He quickly found form on grass building a 12-match winning streak and winning back-to-back titles at Stuttgart and Queen’s, but was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after testing positive for COVID-19.
Undeterred, Berrettini made up for his misfortune and reached the finals at Gstaad and quarterfinals at the US Open. The Italian represented Team Europe for the first time in Boston, overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest match recorded in Laver Cup history, lasting two hours and 52 minutes.
It will mark the first time for Paul on Captain John McEnroe’s Team World.
The 25-year-old is touted as one of America’s biggest hopes and achieved a career-high No.29 ranking in September, posting wins this season over No.3 Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells and No.4 Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Montreal Masters.
In his main draw debut, a fourth-round run at Wimbledon was also a major highlight. Paul won his first ATP Tour title in 2021 at Stockholm, defeating junior rivals and Team World teammates Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. Paul can now add his Laver Cup experience to a career-defining year.
Alternates are available to compete in place of one of their teammates if they are injured or withdraw. They are integral members of their teams and participate in all appearances and preparations.
極速神驅2022-09-18 11:04:05
Roger Federer has been struggling with a knee injury for almost three years. The Swiss underwent three surgeries and played only six tournaments since the start of 2020. Roger has decided to end his career at the next week's Laver Cup, unable to overcome the issues and play injury-free.
Federer has not played since the last year's Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-final at the All England Club before experiencing the third surgery. A few weeks earlier, Federer embraced his 18th Halle campaign, seeking the 11th title at one of his favorite events.
Setting eyes on his 18th quarter-final at the prestigious event, Roger experienced a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime in an hour and 44 minutes. It was Federer's earliest loss in Halle, losing ground despite withdrawing from Roland Garros to prepare for the grass swing.
Roger's coach Ivan Ljubicic said that the Swiss felt the pain during those weeks, gathering dark clouds over his Wimbledon preparation but still deciding to compete in London. Felix was Roger's first opponent born in the 2000s, and he did well to topple the legend in sets two and three and continue where he left in Stuttgart.
"Roger was in pain when he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in Halle last year. He knew he would not have a chance at Wimbledon, as his knee hurt a lot. We hoped for a miracle, but it did not happen," Ivan Ljubicic said.