PRAGUE, September 21, 2017

Laver Cup’s Team Europe and Team World and their captains, as well as the legendary Rod Laver, were officially welcomed to the city of Prague in the historic Old Town Square on Wednesday, with thousands of fans turning out to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Team World appeared first, led by Sam Querrey, John Isner, Jack Sock, Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, Francis Tiafoe and Thanasi Kokkinakis (an alternate). They were joined by their captain and his deputy, John McEnroe and his younger brother Patrick.

Asked about the black surface inside the the O2 Arena, Isner told:

“It’s going to be interesting. Haven’t played on it yet. Haven’t even practiced on it yet. But from everything our team has heard, it’s an extremely nice court.

“It will be a little bit different to get used to the optics of the black court, but I think after one or two days on practice, it will seem to all of us just like any other court. So I think it’s very unique. This event is very unique. So I think the black court is going to be very cool.”

Led by Bjorn Borg and vice captain Tomas Enqvist, the crowd was delighted to welcome Team Europe with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem and Tomas Berdych.

“I practiced a little bit at home last two days, but I am very looking forward to practice this afternoon and see how the court, how it plays, the court. Everybody told me that it is amazing, big stadium,
and beautiful. I’m very excited to go there and see the facility,” Nadal said and added:

“So I have today and tomorrow to practice hard. And let’s see, then, when the captain decide. I’m very excited to play here, and yeah, to have all these great players next to me, being part of something amazing and really looking forward to it.”