London: Novak Djokovic confirmed yesterday that he will join Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray (all pictured below) in a dream Team Europe line-up at the Laver Cup that reunites the former “Big Four”.
Bjorn Borg’s European team will take on John McEnroe’s Team World in the fifth edition of the event at London’s O2 Arena from September 23-25.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic will be appearing at the Laver Cup for the first time since 2018, when it was held in Chicago.
“It’s the only competition where you can play in a team environment with guys that you’re normally competing against and to be joining Rafa, Roger and Andy - three of my biggest all-time rivals - it’s going to be a truly unique moment in the history of our sport,” said the 21-time Grand Slam champion. The four players have dominated men’s tennis for nearly two decades, capturing 66 of the past 76 Grand Slams and winning every Wimbledon title since 2003.
Two roster spots have yet to be announced to complete the six-player Team Europe line-up, while McEnroe’s Team World so far consists of Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, US player Taylor Fritz and Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman. Team Europe are bidding for a fifth successive triumph at the three-day event, named after Australian great Rod Laver.
Former world number one Borg said: “I don’t think I could have imagined having these four icons of the sport on one team together.
“I know they, like I, appreciate the significance of this moment and will be truly up for it. Each year our goal is to win. With Rafa, Roger, Andy and Novak on the team, I like our chances.”
 
Thiem reaches first Tour-level semi-final in 14 months
Former world number three Dominic Thiem reached his first Tour-level semi-final in 14 months at the Swiss Open in Gstaad yesterday, as the Austrian looks to step up his comeback from a wrist injury that sidelined him for nine months.
The 2020 US Open champion had been out of action after injuring his wrist in June 2021 and could not defend his title at Flushing Meadows. Thiem, who has dropped to 274 in the rankings, defeated qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas 6-4 6-3 at the ATP 250 claycourt event in Gstaad and will face second seed Matteo Berrettini in today’s semi-final.
“Tomorrow I can go into the match free, trying to do my best,” Thiem said in his on-court interview. “When I travelled to Bastad last week I didn’t expect to reach the quarter-finals there and then the semi-finals here. It is really, really good and I am happy with the progress.”

Results
Quarter-finals at ATP event in Gstaad (x denotes seeding):
Casper Ruud (NOR x1) bt Jaume Munar (ESP) 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4)
Dominic Thiem (AUT) bt Juan Pablo Varillas (PER) 6-4, 6-3
Matteo Berrettini (ITA x2) bt Pedro Martinez (ESP x5) 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1
Hamburg ATP/WTA
Men’s Quarter-finals
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP x1) bt Karen Khachanov (x7) 6-0, 6-2
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) bt Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) 6-4, 6-3
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) bt Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4)
Women’s Semi-finals
Anett Kontaveit (EST x1) bt Anastasia Potapova 6-3, 7-5
Bernarda Pera (USA) bt Maryna Zanevska (BEL x7) 6-2, 6-4