Team Europe’s veteran duo will need to lean on their “connection” as the competition goes on, after dropping to 0-2 on opening day.
Casper Ruud is having fun being a part of a team again—even if it’s not always sunshine and roses, as he revealed in a hilarious Laver Cup press conference on Thursday.
Ruud and more have been taking in the atmosphere in Vancouver, Canada as a part of Team Europe, where the Norwegian is considered a veteran of the ong with perennial fan favorite Andrey Rublev.
team competition in his third year al
The 24-year-old said he’s been particularly enjoying spending time with fellow players like debutants Gael Monfils, Hubert Hurkacz, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Arthur Fils—names that wouldn’t normally find themselves on the same side of the net, much less fighting for the same trophies.
“I think it’s nice to have your typical opponents be teammates for once,” Ruud explained. “When you’re playing Davis Cup or United Cup or whatever, you have your countrymen as your teammates. But here, anyone from Europe can be your teammate.”
Some of the perks include sharing on and off-court moments with opponents-turned-teammates, as the casual atmosphere helps to break down barriers for them to become practice partners or even doubles partners down the line.
Another, slightly more dubious perk? Getting to know all the top players—and seeing the messy reality behind the scenes.
“You kind of connect or create a connection or a bond that you can kind of use for the rest of the year,” he said. “It’s just a really fun competition.”
“I forgot the question, but I’m not agree with Casper!” said a grinning Rublev during a Laver Cup press conference.
“I forgot the question, but I’m not agree with Casper!” said a grinning Rublev during a Laver Cup press conference.
And then, noticing that fellow Team Europe teammate Rublev was tuning out, he added:
“You have to learn all the good and all the bad sides of your teammates… Especially Andrey!”
Put on the spot, Rublev replied with a grin: “I forgot the question, but I’m not agree with Casper!”
Team Europe will need to lean on that bond as the competition goes on, as they went 0-2 in singles on opening day. Ben Shelton gave Team World an early lead with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over Fils, before Francisco Cerundolo added on with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.