Jannik Sinner snubbed the 2024 Laver Cup – but could he appear in the future?
The Laver Cup proved to be a huge hit in 2024, with a perfect storm of circumstances making this year’s event in Berlin one of the most memorable so far.
The result went down to the wire and ultimately it was the event’s biggest star, Carlos Alcaraz, who proved to be the crucial player, sealing victory for Team Europe with a win over Taylor Fritz in the decisive rubber.
World No 3 Alcaraz and recent US Open finalist Fritz were not the only big names in action, with Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, and Frances Tiafoe all competing.
However, there were a couple of notable admissions from the team event – and perhaps none bigger than the world No 1.
Jannik Sinner has never played at the Laver Cup and that did not change in 2024, with the Australian and US Open champion deciding to skip the event in Berlin.
The Italian has now landed in Beijing for his China Open title defence though appeared to spend last week off court, appearing at Milan Fashion Week after supporting Italy’s Davis Cup squad from the sidelines the week before.
Getting Sinner, one of the new biggest stars in the sport, to play the men’s team event would be a huge coup; the thought of him playing doubles alongside chief rival Alcaraz is an enticing one.
But, while it did not happen this year, could it happen in the future?
Speaking in Berlin, Laver Cup CEO Steve Zacks revealed that Sinner had been invited to compete this year, though was unable to attend.
However, the door is still open for him.
“Look, the way the system works is each year the top three players for both sides get invited,” said Zacks.
“In the case of the World, they all accepted, and more than that, as you go down the line. On the other side, it always comes down to individual schedules and what are their priorities at that particular time.
Laver Cup News
Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘nerves’ confession after leading Team Europe to Laver Cup triumph
Boris Becker makes ‘tennis boom’ claim as he discusses Laver Cup importance
“I know we are talking to him [Sinner] right now. We’d love to have him. But sometimes their schedules, sponsor commitments, and so forth make them commit to certain tournaments.
“They do need a break, and sometimes that falls on the Laver Cup week and we miss out.”
It would not be a surprise to see Sinner play the event at one stage, with some of the very biggest names in the game having competed in the past.
Most famously, Roger Federer retired at the 2022 event in London, playing doubles alongside Rafael Nadal, while Novak Djok0vic has twice represented Team Europe.
Next year’s event will be held in San Francisco, though no future venues have yet been confirmed.
The events in Europe have so far been held in some of the continent’s most significant cities, with Prague, Geneva, London, and now Berlin playing host.
Could a future Laver Cup in Italy, say in Rome or Milan, help entice Sinner to play?
That remains to be seen, but getting the current world No 1 to play anywhere would be a significant Laver Cup coup.
Read Next: Laver Cup Winners & Losers – Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton star but Daniil Medvedev struggles
