Tennis is often regarded as the ultimate individual sport, with players spending most of the year-long season competing for themselves and shouldering both success and failure with their team, or even alone.
Events such as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and Laver Cup stand out for bucking that trend and provide a rare opportunity for players to put aside individual rivalries and represent something bigger than themselves, drawing energy from teammates to create an exceptional atmosphere and camaraderie that often brings out a different side of even the sport’s biggest stars.
Team Europe Captain Yannick Noah – described by rival Team World captain Andre Agassi as “one of the kindest spirits you will ever meet” – guided his team to 13-5 victory over Team Europe, and was determined to succeed this time after a bruising loss last year in San Francisco despite being favourites. He shared his thoughts and feelings after emerging victorious, and also explained why the event is so unique.
“This year I had a little bit of pressure. I can’t lie to you,” he said. “It means a lot. 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 emotions. This is why we play, to be able to experience these kinds of moments.
“It’s much better to win, and it’s good to win here in London,” he continued. “It was a wonderful experience as a captain, and I’m leaving with young friends. Being with this quality of players is something amazing. For me, I cherish it. I’m going to have a beautiful picture with my players. We won Laver Cup 2026. I’m very happy about that.”
With the ninth edition of the Laver Cup now complete, UBI Tennis presents a collection of player quotes showcasing why this team event brings out the best in players and emotions rarely seen on the regular tour.
CARLOS ALCARAZ: “I love it because a team event is totally different, playing for your side, for your teammates, playing for the guys who are supporting you from the bench, from outside. And that’s great. Obviously having a great captain and co-captain behind you all the time, it’s great. I think is really unique and a special format that I just love to be part of it.”
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: “I think the Laver Cup, as we have seen over the years, is a different type of event. The results that happen here sometimes don’t happen on the normal tour, but here, all of a sudden, people come alive, play their best tennis, and so on. I knew that this event is very, very different compared to anything else. We’re playing a very fast format, and we’re playing as a team. I think here you feel more pressure to perform for everybody else, as well. I’m super satisfied to win the Laver Cup back after losing it last year.”
TAYLOR FRITZ: “Just the energy, like the environment of getting to play with a team is so much fun, because it’s something that you don’t really do often in tennis. That feeling of playing for the team, cheering for the guys, kind of coming together for something that’s not just for yourself is a lot of fun. I think the moments of winning and getting to celebrate, it’s so much better when you have a group of people that are feeling the same thing you feel when you’re celebrating.”
ALEX de MINAUR: “This event is so special, having two absolute legends on this side of the court with you, being able to pick their brains for a whole week. I thought they brought out some of the best tennis in me, and ultimately it’s another team event which I thoroughly enjoy.”
ARTHUR FERY: “For me, it’s been an incredible week, an incredible experience to be with these guys and to watch all their matches and support from their side of the court. It’s an awesome event. Been so happy to be part of the team. Hopefully I will get to spend more time with all these guys for the next years to come.”
LEARNER TIEN: “I always watch this event every year. I always think it’s a really cool event. I always wanted to play. I’m really happy I got to be a part of it. It’s really unique playing on a team in tennis. I’m just grateful I was able to experience it this year with Pat, Andre, and all these guys.”
BRANDON NAKASHIMA: “It was amazing. The team atmosphere and the environment, which we all get to play in with so many tennis legends a part of, and having all these guys’ support on the bench, it’s unlike any experience I have had before. I’m really thankful to everybody. Only positive things to take away.”
ALEXANDER BUBLIK: “Definitely it was a crazy experience for me. I always watched Laver Cup but I always thought this was more a fun event, an exhibition, but when I got here, I never cared more than winning this one. I never cared as much in a quarterfinal of a slam than the doubles that I played here. I think it was a great experience for me being next to Andre and Pat, being next to the colleagues that I play all the time together, being in the same team, supporting each other, so it was hell of experience for me.”
RAFAEL JODAR: “It was a special week. What I have realized on tour, you are many weeks traveling with your own team, but you are playing for yourself. But here, you are playing for a team. You get the support by any player here in the team. It’s very special to have this weekend on the tour where you can be with more people around your team. Obviously with these two great captains who really help us. I think they did a great job, so I want to thank them, for believing in me and calling me to represent Europe this year.
I was very happy to get my first win, and then during the whole weekend, I tried to support my teammates. I think we did a great job as a team, supporting each other from the bench to the guy who was on court playing. This one means a lot to me to have the opportunity to share this great week with these guys, super special.”
FLAVIO COBOLLI: “Being part of this team, it’s so special. It’s a great thing for us. Winning the cup again, especially after the loss last year. We started the week with one goal and we took so it’s really good for us. We enjoyed a lot and we spent a lot of time together. I heard a lot of Italians cheering for me and when you hear your name it’s always special.”
