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Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul to represent Team World at the 2024 Laver Cup

Haley Fuller | April 11, 2024

Two of the United States’ top American men, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, will help John McEnroe’s Team World bid for a three-peat at the 2024 Laver Cup.

 

On Thursday, Fritz and Paul were the first to be named to McEnroe's team, along Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur. The three players were a part of Team World’s historic first victory against the four-time defending champions Team Europe in 2022, and the two Americans helped lift the trophy again in 2023.

They will be facing a formidable challenge at the Uber Arena. Bjorn Borg has already named Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev to the Team World roster in the final year of both his and McEnroe's captaincies, having held their positions since the event first took place in 2017.

 

However, McEnroe’s team is ready for the challenge on the signature black courts.

 

Fritz, who will be playing his fourth Laver Cup, is currently No. 13 in the ATP rankings, and reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 after lifting the trophy in Delray Beach in 2023, becoming the first American man to reach the Top 5 since 2009. He successfully defended his title this year, defeating Paul in the final.

 

This will be Paul’s third appearance at Laver Cup, having been an alternate in 2022 and then playing in Vancouver in 2023. The No. 16 captured the Dallas title this year, a few weeks before reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.

Additionally, de Minaur made his Top 10 debut earlier this year after consecutive wins against Fritz, Novak Djokovic and Zverev at the United Cup, followed by winning his eighth ATP title in Acapulco.

 

“Bjorn has had a really strong start to his lineup this year, so it’s great to have Alex, Taylor and Tommy back on the team again,” said McEnroe. “They have performed well in this competition, have been great team members, and know what it takes to win.” 

 

“We’ve had some epic Laver Cup battles over the years. With this being our final year, both Bjorn and I will be pulling out all the stops to get the victory.”

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

Fritz, who has been the top American man for much of the past few years, has a 3-1 record against Team Europe.

 

In his first appearance in 2019, he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas but triumphed over then-No. 5 Dominic Thiem, and won in straight sets against Cameron Norrie and Andrey Rublev in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

Paul, is 1-1 in Laver Cup matches. He partnered with Frances Tiafoe to defeat Arthur Fils and Andrey Rublev in 2023, but lost to Casper Ruud in his singles rubber.

 

The two Americans—and close friends—are excited to return to Team World for the three-day competition that pits six of the best European players against six of the top players from the rest of the world.

“It was incredible to step out on court for Team World last year in Vancouver,” Paul said. “The atmosphere, camaraderie and excitement of the Laver Cup is unlike any other tournament. I look forward to taking part in Berlin and hopefully contributing to another team victory.”

 

Fritz echoed his compatriot’s comments.

 

“Laver Cup is one of my favorite events,” Fritz said. “Teaming up with our rivals and being courtside to cheer them on while being mentored by a legend like John McEnroe is truly incredible. Team World brings such a great energy and positive vibe that we’ve managed to pull off some incredible wins over the years and we’ll be aiming to do it again in Berlin.”

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