The format saw three singles matches played each day across the three days, with one game of doubles each day. Every match won on day one was worth one point, whilst day two victories were awarded two points, with the sequence following on for the final day, putting more weight on it.
Day one ended with the scores tied at two-all, with the main attraction of the day being Federer’s final game, as he ironically lined up with his biggest rival Rafael Nadal, against the US pairing of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
Federer couldn’t go out quietly and took the game to a third set, with the US scrapping past the Swiss and Spanish duo 11-9 in the match tiebreak, after Europe initially took the first set.
The O2 were then treated to an emotional interview, seeing Roger Federer give a tear-jerking speech summing up tying his shoes “one last time.”
Federer was then reduced to tears, sat next to Nadal who also couldn’t contain his emotions. This unique moment would struggle to be replicated in any other sport. Two of the greatest players in history realising that their fierce rivalry had officially come to an end.
Federer was then reduced to tears, sat next to Nadal who also couldn’t contain his emotions.
The show had to continue over the next few days though and Europe would take a four-point lead into the final day.
Singles wins from Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini were impressive, but so too was their doubles victory to cap off a good day for Europe.
Tuesday the 25th September would be the final day and the World Team would have to win three games to secure the cup.
The doubles would now be the first game to grace the arena, seeing Berrettini coupled with Britain’s Andy Murray against Felix Auger Aliassime and Jack Sock. The North American pair would squeeze past Europe, winning 10-8 in a thrilling final day encounter.
Europe now only led 8-7, but hopes were heavy on the back of Djokovic to secure a vital victory against Auger Aliassime who was perhaps tired from his doubles match.
A 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over Novak would confirm the Canadian was not tired from his previous doubles game and now it was Europe who had to win to keep their hopes alive.
It was down to the Greek Stefano Tsitsipas to save Europe, but he too was beaten in a match tiebreak against Tiafoe and the World team had secured the Laver Cup.
Including match tiebreaks, the World team would claim eight tiebreaks, whilst Europe could only muster-up three tiebreak wins. Tennis is a game of fine margins and losing out in so many tiebreaks makes overall victory a much harder task.
The format of earning extra points as the days progress is an interesting one and certainly came into fruition for this Laver Cup, as tennis continues to show-off the world’s best in something over than the Grand Slams.