Carlos Alcaraz believes the Laver Cup offers something he rarely gets during the long ATP season: the chance to enjoy tennis as part of a team.
The Spaniard is back in action at The O2 in London this week as Team Europe looks to reclaim the Laver Cup after losing to Team World 15-9 in San Francisco last year. The ninth edition of the competition runs from September 25 to 27.
Alcaraz arrives in London after making his return at the US Open following a lengthy absence caused by a wrist injury. He reached the quarter-finals in New York before losing to Ben Shelton in a dramatic five-set match that lasted more than four hours.
Despite the defeat, Alcaraz said the experience reminded him how much he enjoys competing.
“It is a week in which I could be training or resting, but these kinds of weeks help me bring my joy back on the court and bring my joy back to playing tennis,” Alcaraz said during Team Europe’s press conference.
The 23-year-old has previously spoken about the demands of the tennis calendar, but he sees the Laver Cup differently because of its team environment.
“We are not used to playing team events. During the whole year, we don’t have team events at all,” Alcaraz said.
“Personally, I love team tournaments, spending time with my teammates and having fun. As we saw last year, I enjoyed it a lot both on and off the court.”
For Alcaraz, the opportunity to spend time with some of the world's leading players is another reason the event stands out.
Rather than competing alone, he will share the Team Europe dressing room with the likes of Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar under captain Yannick Noah.
Alcaraz also singled out Zverev, who arrives in London as the reigning US Open champion and a two-time Grand Slam winner in 2026.
“He’s probably the best player in the world right now,” Alcaraz said of his teammate.
“Having him by our side, having him on the team, it’s going to be a great weekend.”
Source: Laver Cup
Zverev has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning his maiden French Open title before reaching his first Wimbledon final and then claiming the US Open crown in New York. He enters the Laver Cup with five previous titles in the competition and is one of Team Europe’s most experienced players.
The German also believes the team environment can bring out something different from the players.
“I think the Laver Cup is just such a special event, for so many different reasons,” Zverev said previously. “Atmosphere wise, player wise … having the best players in the world as teammates. You only get that at Laver Cup.”
For Alcaraz, however, the focus is not simply on individual performances. He believes Team Europe has enough quality across the squad to share the responsibility rather than relying on one player to lead the charge.
“Every team needs a leader, but I believe that in this team there is not just one,” Alcaraz said.
“We are all among the best players in the world, so we all go in the same direction. We try to help each other in the best way possible.”
Team Europe will also have the advantage of playing in London, where Alcaraz is particularly eager to experience The O2 for the first time as a professional player.
After falling short last year, he is determined to help bring the trophy back to Europe.
“I missed lifting the trophy last year, so I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it back this year,” Alcaraz said.
With Alcaraz returning from injury and Zverev arriving fresh from his US Open triumph, Team Europe has plenty of experience and star power heading into the three-day battle. But for Alcaraz, the Laver Cup is about more than simply adding another victory to his season.
It is also an opportunity to rediscover the enjoyment that made him fall in love with tennis in the first place.
