![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BS1_4122-750x500.jpg\")
Former British No.1 Tim Henman returns to The O2 as Laver Cup vice-captain in 2026. Photo: Ben Solomon\/Laver Cup.<\/p>\nThe O2 offered a first look at Laver Cup London on Monday as the competition\u2019s signature black court, made up of 460 pieces, took shape inside the arena.<\/p>\n
Team World captain Andre Agassi had the first hit on center court, while Team Europe vice-captain Tim Henman look ahead to the weekend\u2019s competition. \u201cWe fancied our chances 12 months ago, and we definitely fancy our chances this weekend,\u201d declared Henman.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on his first Laver Cup experience, which came at The O2 in 2022, Henman said he was \u201ccompletely blown away by the whole atmosphere, the intensity of the competition, the way the benches worked. It\u2019s been amazing to witness the growth of the event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former British No.1 and esteemed television commentator began his new role with Team Europe alongside captain Yannick Noah in San Francisco last year, in a tightly fought edition Team World won 15-9.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fancied our chances 12 months ago, and we definitely fancy our chances this weekend,\u201d declared Henman.<\/p>\n
The Home Ground Advantage<\/p>\n
Five of Team Europe\u2019s players from its 2025 roster return this week, including two-time Grand Slam champion Alexander Zverev, seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz, No. 7 Flavio Cobolli, No. 15 Jakub Mensik and a veteran of five Laver Cups, Casper Ruud. Joining them for the first time is Spaniard Rafael Jodar, who Henman described as \u201cone of the biggest stories in tennis of the past 12 months\u201d.<\/p>\n
Former British No.1 Tim Henman returns to The O2 as Laver Cup vice-captain in 2026. Photo: Ben Solomon\/Laver Cup.<\/p>\n
The task ahead is for the players to acclimatize to the conditions and the court, build team chemistry, test new doubles combinations, and prepare for the unique demands of the competition,\u00a0with the added boost of home-court advantage working in Team Europe\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n
\u201cBritain has an amazing fan base,\u201d Henman said. \u201cWhen you reflect on tennis in London, we\u2019ve had The [Wimbledon] Championships for 149 years, we had the [ATP] Tour-ending championships and the Laver Cup. To me, those events are all about the best against the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Henman is not taking anything for granted against Team World, led by captain Andre Agassi and vice-captain Patrick Rafter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been so many shocks and surprises,\u201d Henman said. \u201cThere\u2019s no script, you don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen; that adds to the excitement. The next few days are important to make sure the players are prepared as best they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pressure Play<\/p>\n
Laver Cup CEO Steve Zacks said the format \u2013 two sets followed by a 10-point match tiebreak if the sets are split 1-1 \u2013 \u201chas definitely led to a lot of surprises\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever\u2019s the favorite doesn\u2019t necessarily come out on top,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of pride, a lot of pressure from playing on a team with your colleagues. You compete with them 51 weeks of the year, but while you\u2019re here, you\u2019re representing them. You want to win for those teammates. It creates a lot of pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BS1_6073-750x500.jpg\")
Team World\u2019s Learner Tien is the first player to practice on the Laver Cup\u2019s black court at The O2 in 2026. Photo Ben Solomon\/Laver Cup.\u00a0
\nA fan favorite<\/p>\n
Joining Henman and Zacks for a first look at The O2\u2019s Laver Cup transformation was Alex Hill, President and CEO of AEG International.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re over the moon to have Laver Cup back here,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an incredibly special venue. One of the reasons why is because the Laver Cup pays so much attention to the fan experience. I\u2019ve been here for 19 years now. This is without doubt one of the best sporting events you could have in an arena. The fans know it. The players know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It will be the third time the Laver Cup has been held at an AEG arena, including the historic first appearance at The O2 in 2022, when Roger Federer played the final competitive match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, and Berlin\u2019s Uber Arena in 2024.<\/p>\n
In addition to the on-court action this week, the Laver Cup Fan Zone opens on Thursday at 10:30 am in Peninsula Square, and on Friday through Sunday at 10:00 am. Free to the public, there will be entertaining sponsor activations, a giant screen to watch live Laver Cup tennis matches, food, beverage and merchandise outlets, and live recordings of the popular Served podcast, hosted by Andy Roddick.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fans are going to be in for a really exciting week,\u201d said Hill. \u201cFrom the moment a fan comes on site, they\u2019re going to have an unforgettable experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Check out the Laver Cup event guide.<\/a><\/p>\n