Bjorn Borg was not Roger Federer’s first pick for Team Europe’s Laver Cup captain when the tournament was formed in 2017, according to Rod Laver.
The tournament debuted with John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg as the team captains as Team Europe collided with Team World.
McEnroe and Borg stayed on for six years until 2024, being replaced by new Laver Cup captains Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah.
Despite Borg’s undeniable legendary status, Federer reportedly wanted another star to take up the mantle of Team Europe captain.
Roger Federer wanted Stefan Edberg for Laver Cup captain in 2017
Borg and McEnroe brought exposure to the tournament as they reignited their legendary feud from their heyday.
According to Rod Laver, Borg and McEnroe being chosen as team captains was entirely down to him.
“Thanks to me, there are two captains like John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg,” said Laver during an interview with Blick in 2019.
“When I suggested McEnroe for the Team World, everyone thought that we would have not gotten him! Because I know him well, I asked, and he came.”
Interestingly, Laver revealed that Federer initially wanted another legendary tennis star as the captain of Team Europe.
“Roger Federer initially wanted his former coach Stefan Edberg,” said Laver. “I suggested Borg – and everyone doubted about it again. He never does it! I said, ‘Give me a mobile phone…'”
Edberg coached Federer between 2013 and 2015, a period which saw the Swiss star fail to win a Grand Slam.
Who will compete at the 2025 Laver Cup?
The eighth Laver Cup will see Team Europe travel to the Chase Center in San Francisco to retain the crown they won in Berlin in 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz will compete again after earning eight points last year, which included the winning tie against Taylor Fritz.
| Team Europe | Team World |
| Carlos Alcaraz | Taylor Fritz |
| Holger Rune | Reilly Opelka |
| Casper Ruud | Joao Fonseca |
| Jakub Mensik | Alex De Minaur |
| Flavio Cobolli | Francisco Cerúndolo |
| Alexander Zverev | Alex Michelsen |
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev will compete in his sixth Laver Cup, while rising star Joao Fonseca will compete in his first.
The iconic tournament, which begins on September 19 and runs until September 21, has been won by Team Europe five out of seven years.
