Carlos Alcaraz heads to San Francisco for the Laver Cup in fine form and full of confidence.
The world number one hasn’t lost a match since Wimbledon, where he fell in four sets to his biggest rival, Jannik Sinner.
Since then, he’s won 13 matches and two titles, emerging victorious at the Cincinnati Open and US Open.
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Returning to represent Team Europe for the second year in a row, Alcaraz will no doubt prove tough to beat at the Laver Cup.
Previewing his side’s chances, Team World vice-captain Pat Rafter has suggested whether the Spaniard will be unbeatable at the 2025 Laver Cup.
Pat Rafter says ‘anything is possible’ at the Laver Cup
During the pre-tournament press conference, Rafter commented on Team World’s chances of stopping Alcaraz in San Francisco.
“I mean, [Carlos] Alcaraz is a weapon. He’s someone who is at the top of his game right now, and he and [Jannik] Sinner are dominating a lot of the tournaments,” said Rafter.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup
“This is a format, though, that creates — there are two sets. Every one of these guys are capable of winning a set against anyone at any given time, put themselves in a situation to play in the tiebreaker to win the match. Anything is possible.
“That’s what I love about the concept of this event also.”
Rafter then hinted at some of the tactics Team World may use to make Alcaraz uncomfortable this weekend.
“You need to throw something different at him as well. I mean, the guy has serious power. He’s a great athlete, but everyone is vulnerable at certain times,” he said.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup
“It’s about trying to go in there and coming up with a game plan when we know this, which will come out probably tomorrow, on who matches up, and then sitting down and strategizing.
“Andre and I will sit down and talk to whoever gets to play him and come up with some ideas. You’re right, he’s tough. He’s brutal, and he’s at the top of his game.
“Let’s just hope that he had a good week off after the US Open, and he hasn’t recovered!”
Alcaraz hasn’t been selected to play singles on day one, but will play in the doubles alongside Jakub Mensik, against the Team World duo of Alex Michelsen and Taylor Fritz.
There, he will have a chance to improve his already impressive Laver Cup record.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Laver Cup record
The Spanish youngster made his Laver Cup debut in 2024, joining the likes of Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Daniil Medvedev on Team Europe.
Alcaraz surprisingly lost his first match, but recovered to win his next three in straight sets.
[LOSS] Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev vs Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton[WIN] Carlos Alcaraz vs Ben Shelton[WIN] Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud vs Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe[WIN] Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz
Playing Fritz with the title on the line, Alcaraz produced an excellent display to secure the win for Team Europe.
The win saw Team Europe reclaim the title from Team World, having lost the previous two tournaments.
YearLocationWinning teamLosing teamScore2024Berlin, GermanyTeam EuropeTeam World13-112023Vancouver, CanadaTeam WorldTeam Europe13-22022London, UKTeam WorldTeam Europe13-82021Boston, USATeam EuropeTeam World14-12019Geneva, SwitzerlandTeam EuropeTeam World13-112018Chicago, USATeam EuropeTeam World13-82017Prague, CzechiaTeam EuropeTeam World15-9List of Laver Cup winners
The Europeans are favorites to defend their title in 2025, bringing a group of top 25 players to the event.
Team Europe at the Laver CupCarlos Alcaraz – ATP #1Alexander Zverev – ATP #3Holger Rune – ATP #11Casper Ruud – ATP #12Jakub Mensik – ATP #17Flavio Cobolli – ATP #25
Their opponents don’t have quite the same wealth of talent at their disposal, although Fritz and Alex de Minaur bring some real quality to the side.
Team World at the Laver CupTaylor Fritz – ATP #5Alex de Minaur – ATP #8Francisco Cerundolo – ATP #21Alex Michelsen – ATP #32Joao Fonseca – ATP #42Reilly Opelka – ATP #62
Only time will tell who will win the 2025 Laver Cup, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Ruud and Reilly Opelka will kick things off when they face off in the first singles match on Friday, September 19.