Casper Ruud is heading back to the Laver Cup for the fifth year in a row. That’s pretty impressive consistency for one of tennis’s most unique events.
The Laver Cup might not give out ranking points like regular tournaments, but it still attracts the biggest names in tennis. It’s officially recognized by the ATP, but it’s technically an exhibition event.
That doesn’t stop players from taking it seriously though.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper Ruud | 26 | 4,025 | 39 - 10 |
After Team Europe hosted last year’s tournament in Berlin, it’s Team World’s turn to play at home. This time, they’re heading to San Francisco’s Chase Center for the eighth edition of this Europe vs. World showdown.
There’s some fresh leadership this year too. Yannick Noah and Tim Henman will captain Team Europe, while Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter take charge of Team World.
Strong Lineups Taking Shape
Team World’s already got some exciting players signed up. Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and 18-year-old rising star Joao Fonseca are all confirmed for the tournament.
Team Europe has now matched them with four big names. Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Holger Rune were announced earlier, and now Ruud joins the squad.
For the Norwegian, this marks his fifth straight appearance since debuting in 2021. He’s been part of two winning teams and has a solid record to show for it.
Four wins out of six matches isn’t bad at all – three of those victories came in singles, one in doubles.
Ruud’s clearly excited about returning, especially under new leadership. He’s also got a personal reason to be pumped about the San Francisco location.
"The Laver Cup is incredible, bringing together Europe, with its rich tennis history, to take on the rest of the world. I love representing Europe, and doing my best for the whole continent, not just my country. The team aspect is unique – getting to play alongside guys who are usually my rivals and to support each other is something we don’t experience often."
"I’m also really looking forward to playing in front of Yannick and Tim for the first time – they are a dynamic duo and it’s going to be really cool. And, I’m excited to visit San Francisco for the first time. I’m a big Golden State Warriors fan, so playing in Chase Center will be something special."
A Special Venue for a Tennis Fan
Playing at Chase Center is going to be extra meaningful for Ruud. The Golden State Warriors fan will get to compete on the same court where his favorite basketball team plays.
Talk about a dream come true.
The tournament runs from September 19th to 21st, following the same format that’s made it so exciting over the years. Each day ramps up the pressure with an increasing point system.
Day 1 matches are worth one point each. Day 2 doubles the stakes to two points. And Day 3? That’s when things get really intense with three points per match.
The format includes three singles matches and one doubles match each day, creating plenty of opportunities for drama and comebacks.
Yannick Noah is making his debut as a Laver Cup captain, and he’s clearly happy to have Ruud’s experience on his side.
"Casper is a great competitor who brings experience, passion and composure to the team environment. He understands the spirit of the Laver Cup and is exactly the kind of player you want by your side. I’m delighted he’s back."
Team Europe has historically had the upper hand in this competition. With players like Ruud who understand what it takes to win, they’ll be looking to keep that trend going on Team World’s home turf.
The addition of Ruud gives Team Europe a reliable veteran who knows how to handle the unique pressure of this team format. That experience could prove crucial when the points really start to matter.
