Team Europe won the Laver Cup for the sixth time, and the first time under captains Yannick Noah and Tim Henman, inside London's O2 Arena. Alexander Zverev clinched victory with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Learner Tien to reclaim glory for Europe after they lost to Andre Agassi's Team World in San Francisco a year ago.
Sunday victories seal the trophy
The win came after Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik beat Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz, 7-5, 6-3, to open play on Sunday. The Europe squad came into the final day of the tournament with a 7-5 points lead, thanks in part to Carlos Alcaraz's stunning win over Taylor Fritz on Saturday. Their two victories on Sunday took them to the 13 points needed to capture the trophy.
Captains and players reflect
The team tournament, co-created by Roger Federer in 2017, has often been branded as an exhibition, but 1983 French Open champion and Team Europe captain Noah said: "I'm super happy."
"Last year, on paper, we were supposed to win. Even though I was trying to joke about it, we lost. So this year, I had a little bit of pressure. I can't lie to you. I had a little bit of pressure," he added. "It means a lot. I mean, this event means a lot. I have been captain of Davis Cup, but this is a special event. It works. We're playing for these kinds of moments."
Vice-captain Henman added: "This is what tennis needs. There's a lot of other events that don't necessarily work. And I think to be a part of this for the last two years has been an absolute privilege. To have these teammates and friends going forward is very, very special."
Newcomers and Team World's response
Alcaraz, who returned from a five-month injury layoff at last month's US Open, won his singles and doubles matches over the weekend and said: "I'm just really happy I have been able to play couple of matches here, see that my level, it's good."
World No.14 Rafael Jodar and alternate Arthur Fery were the only newbies in Team Europe this weekend. After enjoying rapid rises this year, both got the chance to create bonds with their rivals. British No.1 Fery said: "For me, it's been an incredible week, incredible experience to be with these guys and, yeah, watch all their matches, support from their side of the court. Haven't been on tour for so, so long, so it's an awesome event. Been so happy to be part of the team, and hopefully get to spend more time with all these guys for the next years to come."
Jodar added: "What I have realised here on tour, you are many weeks travelling with your own team, but you are playing for yourself. And here, you are playing for a team. You get the support by any other player here in the team. So it's very special to have this weekend on the tour where you can be with more people around your team."
After suffering his first loss as Team World captain, eight-time Major champion Agassi said of his squad: "They're showing more heart than sometimes I see in other real environments with things on the line. They're there for each other. I couldn't be prouder of it. I wish I had more of them in me."
De Minaur, who had beaten Zverev on Saturday, added: "We were very close. We were up against it. From the get-go, we were the underdogs, but we put in a hell of a fight."
