Team Europe secured their fourth consecutive victory in the 2021 Laver Cup tennis tournament, completing a dominant 14-1 win against Team World. Doubles partners Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev sealed the win by defeating Reilly Opelka and Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-7, 10-3 on the final day in Boston.
Following a stellar performance the previous day where Team Europe won all four matches at TD Garden, they needed just one victory on Saturday to secure the overall win. The European duo’s win extended their unbeaten streak in the Laver Cup, with previous victories in 2019(Geneva), 2018(Chicago), and 2017(Prague).
The tournament featured the top six European players facing off against six counterparts from the rest of the world. With a team boasting six top-10 players, including Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Zverev, Rublev, Mateo Berretini, and Casper Ruud, Europe entered as favorites.
McEnroe: “Fuck this guy.”
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 25, 2021
Isner: “He said that? Fuck him…”
Schwartzman: “What did he say?”
McEnroe: “He said that’s the last point we’re gonna win.”
Opelka: “He also said he’s innocent.”
McEnroe: “Yeah, good point.”
h/t @tennisems #LaverCuppic.twitter.com/NPJ2IpTAxq
Before the final doubles match, Zverev engaged in banter with Team World captain John McEnroe, and there were strong reactions from both sides. During a team huddle, McEnroe expressed his competitive spirit, stating
“F**k this guy…He said that’s the last point we’re going to win.”
There were comments referencing Zverev’s off-court controversies, including allegations of domestic violence made by his ex-girlfriend Olya Sharypova, which Zverev denied. Opelka pointed out Zverev’s claims of innocence, and McEnroe acknowledged the point.
Zverev is currently playing at the 2024 Australian Open and has been accused of physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea for which he will go on trial in May this year.
Alexander Zverev advances at the Australian Open despite upcoming assault trial
Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev secured a victory in his opening match at the Australian Open, overcoming a first-set loss to beat another German tennis player Dominik Koepfer 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3 in Melbourne.
This comes a day after the news of his trial later this year in an assault case where he is accused of assaulting a woman during an argument in Berlin in May 2020.
Despite recent success, leading Germany to the United Cup win, Zverev acknowledged the challenges of playing in a Grand Slam tournament like the Australian Open. On his first-round win against Koepfer, the 26-year-old admitted to being seriously tested but emphasized the importance of his own shots.
“You’ve got to focus on yourself, your own shots.”
-Alexander Zverev in the post match interview
