Juan Martin del Potro cancels as last year for the Laver Cup. Frances Tiafoe replaces the Argentinian.
The world ranked fourth tiredness after the exhausting US Open was the reason for the cancellation. In Flushing Meadows, del Potro only lost to Serb Novak Djokovic in the final. According to the Argentinian, he wants to concentrate fully on the tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.
Already in 2017 del Potro had to cancel the first edition of the event initiated by Roger Federer due to health problems. Even then, Frances Tiafoe replaced the 2009 US Open winner.
“The Laver Cup was one of the highlights for me in 2017, so I had a wonderful time and am looking forward to joining the team and representing Team World,” said 20-year-old Tiafoe.
In Prague the world’s number 40 was allowed to play the very first match in the history of the Laver Cup. The American lost to Marin Cilic in two sets – it was his only appearance last year.
Team captain John McEnroe describes Tiafoe as a “great team player” and is delighted to have the 20-year-old back in Chicago. “It’s fantastic to have him on our team,” McEnroe said.
The task for the home team won’t get any easier after del Potro’s cancellation. Team Europe” includes Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, two of the best players of all time, and Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin and Kyle Edmund for the team coached by Björn Borg. Substitute is Jeremy Chardy.
In addition to Tiafoe, “Team World” will feature Kevin Anderson, John Isner, Diego Schwartzman, Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock. Alternatively, the Chilean Nicolas Jarry is available.
The second edition of the Laver Cup will be held in Chicago from September 21 to 23. The defending champion is Team Europe – Roger Federer and his team won 15:9 in Prague.