London – In a decisive finale at the O2 Arena, Team Europe captured its sixth Laver Cup title, extending the competition’s record. World number two Alexander Zverev delivered a straight‑sets victory over American Learner Tien, sealing a 13‑5 win for Europe and clinching the trophy on Sunday.
Key matches and points
The third and final day of the Laver Cup required Europe to secure two wins to reach the 13‑point threshold. Each match on Sunday was worth three points, a step up from the one‑point Friday matches and two‑point Saturday contests.
Opening the day’s action, French Open runner‑up Flavio Cobolli of Italy teamed with Czech Jakub Mensik. The duo defeated Team World’s Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur 7‑5, 6‑3, moving Europe within a single win of the title and extending the lead to 10‑5.
It was Zverev’s turn next. The German, who also claimed the French Open runner‑up spot earlier this season, faced Learner Tien. After a tightly contested first set that went to a tiebreak, Zverev prevailed 7‑6(3), 6‑3, delivering the decisive points for Europe.
Zverev’s Laver Cup legacy
This triumph marks the fourth occasion Zverev has secured the winning points for Team Europe. He previously delivered the decisive victories in Chicago (2018), Geneva (2019) and Boston (2021), the latter alongside Russian Andrey Rublev in doubles.
His consistent performances have made Zverev a cornerstone of Europe’s Laver Cup success, reinforcing the team’s dominance since the event’s inception in 2017.
Atmosphere and notable spectators
The O2 Arena was packed with tennis fans, celebrities and former champions. Among the spectators were Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, who co‑founded the Laver Cup.
Federer’s involvement underscores the tournament’s growing prestige as a premier team competition in the sport, often likened to golf’s Ryder Cup.
History and future of the Laver Cup
Since its launch in 2017, the Laver Cup has pitted Europe against a World team composed of players from all other continents. Europe has lifted the trophy in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 and now 2026, while Team World claimed victories in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
The 2027 edition, marking the tournament’s tenth staging, will move to the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, bringing the competition to North America for the first time.
What this means for fans
For tennis enthusiasts, Europe’s continued success highlights the depth of talent across the continent and sets a high bar for future World squads. The Laver Cup’s team format offers a refreshing contrast to the individual nature of most tennis events, fostering national pride and camaraderie among players and fans alike.
As the tournament looks ahead to its 2027 debut in California, the excitement generated in London this weekend signals a bright future for the Laver Cup as a marquee event on the global tennis calendar.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
