The ninth edition of the Laver Cup will get underway this weekend, with Team Europe and Team World set to battle it out once again.
Since its inauguration in 2017, the event has attracted the biggest names in tennis each and every year, despite its awkward placement in the calendar.
Co-creator Roger Federer wanted the Laver Cup to essentially be tennis’ version of the Ryder Cup, and for it to emulate the same passion and competition as the golf tournament.
But many still view the Laver Cup as nothing more than an exhibition, a narrative players like Ben Shelton have tried to change.
What Ben Shelton said about the Laver Cup in 2024
At the 2024 Laver Cup, Shelton was asked in a press conference what he makes of the claims that the event is non-competitive and possibly even rigged.
The American replied: “Yeah, one of my friends that actually was on my college team text me this morning, yeah, it’s the Laver Cup, it’s all rigged, huh? I was, like, I don’t know. We’re out here battling.
“If it’s rigged, I haven’t got the memo yet. They haven’t given me the script.
“No, I think you see Sascha [Zverev] dealing with some sickness yesterday and coming out to battle again today. He’s always a guy who is really tough.
“But I think you see how hard Carlos and Casper came out and played in that doubles today. That was, I thought, an incredible performance. These guys are playing tough, you know.
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“I have never seen this many singles guys try 100% in doubles matches in my life, I don’t think. So I think that’s kind of a testament to what this means to us.
“We care a lot about the captains, especially being the last year. I think that everyone on Team World has played multiple times has created a great bond with John and Patrick, and we really don’t want to let them down. We want to go out with a bang.
“Me and Frances were kind of making a joke this morning in the locker room, like man, if we get this win this year, it’s ride off into the sunset with Johnny Mac and Patrick.
“Yeah, I love this event, and I think that 99% of the time you’re seeing really, really high level out there on the court.”
Ben Shelton’s last appearance at the Laver Cup
Shelton recently withdrew from the Laver Cup following his run to the championship match of the US Open.
The world number four wanted to avoid burnout, as he was also scheduled to represent the US at the Davis Cup right after the final in New York.
Shelton did not feature at the Laver Cup last year either, despite initially being selected for Team World.
His last appearance at the Laver Cup came in 2024, where Team Europe defeated Team World 13-11 to recapture the title.
Shelton won his opening doubles match that year alongside Frances Tiafoe against the duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
On day two, he lost his singles match against Alcaraz before triumphing in doubles again, this time with Alejandro Tabilo as his partner.
He lost his final doubles match with Tiafoe on day three, but won his singles match against Daniil Medvedev, though it was not enough for Team World to clinch the victory.
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