Frances Tiafoe joins Team World for Laver Cup

Frances Tiafoe in action

Frances Tiafoe has been named as the replacement for John Isner as part of Team World for the upcoming 2022 Laver Cup.

A wrist injury forced the veteran American to pull out of the team to face Europe later this month.

The 2022 event will be Tiafoe’s third Laver Cup and comes after a four-year absence from the John McEnroe-captained Team World side.

Tiafoe made a big case for inclusion as the only Team World eligible player in the last four of the US Open.

It no doubt helped the decision-making process that Tiafoe scored a memorable victory over Team Europe stalwart Rafael Nadal at Flushing Meadows.

Tiafoe revealed his excitement at being afforded an opportunity to return to Laver Cup action at the O2 Arena in London from 23 September.

“I love Laver Cup competition,” said Tiafoe, who would eventually lose to US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals in New York.

“It’s an incredible event and I hope I can win points for Team World in London this time.

“I know what to expect and I think we have a great chance this year of taking the title from Team Europe.”

Team World are yet to register a Laver Cup win with four events in the bank and McEnroe appears eager to reverse their fortunes and will look to form players to get the job done.

The six-man Team World squad includes three Americans in all with Taylor Fritz and Jack Sock being joined by Tiafoe in a team that also includes Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman and Alex de Minaur of Australia.

“I am thrilled to have Frances on the team,” said McEnroe.

“He has raised his game to a whole new level and has shown that he can compete and win against the best players on Tour.

“Plus, he brings a positive energy that should help the entire team.”

Bjorn Borg’s Team Europe is built around the return to action of the big four of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Joining the icons of the game will be Monaco Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and double Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.

The 2022 edition of the Laver Cup will be held over the course of a weekend and played on the indoor hard court at London’s O2 Arena.

Each Laver Cup match win is worth one point on Friday, then two points on Saturday and finally three points on Sunday.

The first team to reach 13 out of a possible 24 points available will be crowned the Laver Cup winners.

If the points are tied at the conclusion of the five sessions of action, a deciding match will be played on Sunday to determine the Laver Cup winner.

READ MORE: Grand Slam icons back Iga Swiatek to claim 10 Majors

Latest