Tsitsipas & Rublev First Players Announced For Team Europe For 2023 Laver Cup
ATP
The 2023 Laver Cup is nearing and lineups for both teams are starting to shape up as Team Europe announced its first two players.
Bjorn Borg will coach and lead Team Europe also for the 2023 edition of the prestigious tournament, which has its place in the ATP calendar from September 22nd to 24th.
The former legendary Swedish player led his team to a perfect record against Team World in the past, but in 2022, his team recorded their first-ever loss.
It was Stefanos Tsitsipas who lost the deciding match against Frances Tiafoe, who should be part of Team World once again. Like the American, Tsitsipas will also get another chance in Team Europe as he will already make his fourth Laver Cup appearance.
He will be joined by Andrey Rublev, who will play only for the second time. Speaking about the first two players in the team, Borg said:
"I am really excited to have Stefanos and Andrey as members of our team this year. They are both incredible young players at the top of their game with a great track record in Laver Cup competition."
"Stefanos has been part of the team since Geneva in 2019 and Rublev was part of the winning team in Boston in 2021. I know they, like me, will be super motivated to win the Laver Cup back for Team Europe."
Despite the disappointing end of last year's tournament, Tsitsipas is happy to make yet another appearance at the prestigious exhibition named after Rod Laver. He's ready to do his best and take Team Europe to a victory on Team World's home soil in Vancouver.
"I have great memories of playing Laver Cup and being part of the team, but last year was tough. I played with my heart and gave it my best, but unfortunately it didn’t go the way we wanted."
"Still, we move on, and we have a pretty good track record in Laver Cup so I’m optimistic for this year. I will do everything I can to help Team Europe win the title back in Vancouver."
Rublev, who made his only appearance at the Laver Cup in 2021 when he competed in Boston, is also looking forward to playing for Team Europe again. The Russian has yet to lose a match in this competition, as he won all of his previous three matches.
"I can’t wait to compete in the Laver Cup once again. Being part of the winning team in Boston is a memory that will stay with me forever."
