Alexander Zverev has revealed that Laver Cup teammate Carlos Alcaraz had full “confidence” that the German would pick up a crucial rubber victory on Sunday.
Team Europe trailed Team World throughout most of the weekend and, after Ben Shelton defeated Daniil Medvedev in the second match on Sunday, needed to win both their matches to lift the title.
Competing on home soil in Berlin, Zverev rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Frances Tiafoe, and force the competition into a deciding match.
Alcaraz then sealed victory for Team Europe in the decisive rubber, fending off Taylor Fritz in straight sets to lift the trophy.
Earlier in the day, the Spaniard had partnered Casper Ruud to a crucial doubles win over Tiafoe and Shelton, a result that kept Europe within touching distance of victory.
And, speaking after their triumph, Zverev revealed that Alcaraz was confident about how proceedings would pan out on the third and final day of action.
“It was extremely simple,” said the German.
“We had a meeting on Saturday night. Carlos came in. He chose: ‘I want to play doubles with Casper, Daniil is going to play singles against Shelton, you [Zverev] are not going to lose to Tiafoe.’
“He had so much confidence in me, more than I’ve ever had in my entire life, and said [he was] going to win the deciding match.”
Triumph for Team Europe extends their overall lead against Team World, having won five of the seven editions of the Laver Cup held so far.
However, it was the first victory for the continent since the Boston event in 2021, with Team World prevailing in London in 2022 and Vancouver in 2023.
It was a fifth Laver Cup appearance for Zverev and a fifth win, with the world No 2 now holding the record for the most singles match wins in the competition – having won seven of his nine singles rubbers.
In contrast, it was a maiden Laver Cup appearance for world No 3 Alcaraz, though the eight points he won this year set a new record for the most points earned by a single player in an individual Laver Cup.
Next year’s event takes place in San Fransisco, and there will be a new feel to the competition.
Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg and Team World captain John McEnroe have both stepped down from their roles, having led their respective teams since the launch of the event in 2017.
Yannick Noah will captain Team Europe from next year, while Andre Agassi will lead Team World.
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