Alexander Zverev secures Team Europe’s Laver Cup victory over Team World

Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup trophy after defeating Team World 13-5, capped by Alexander Zverev’s straight-sets victory over Learner Tien on the hard courts of London’s O2 Arena.

Zverev Clinches the Title for Captain Yannick Noah

Alexander Zverev secured the decisive points for Team Europe on Sunday, overcoming American player Learner Tien 7-6 (3), 6-3. The world number two and reigning US Open champion utilized his baseline game on the tournament’s signature black hard court to turn back Tien, ranked 13th, delivering Europe its sixth title in the nine-year history of the exhibition event.

The triumph restored the trophy to Team Europe following their 2025 defeat at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Under the direction of captain Yannick Noah—the 1983 French Open singles champion who took over the leadership role from Björn Borg—Europe built an unassailable lead over Andre Agassi’s Team World squad, bringing the overall tournament series record to 6-3 in favor of the European side.

“There was a very big effort from the team, especially because I felt a bit down after losing yesterday,” Zverev said following the match. “My teammates helped me to get up and keep going: the doubles was a key triumph. I hadn’t won a match here in the two years I played. That’s why I’m happy to have done it today.”

Sunday’s Opening Doubles Shifts Momentum

Europe entered Sunday’s play holding an advantage that expanded quickly during the opening doubles encounter. Italian player Flavio Cobolli and Czech competitor Jakub Mensik defeated Team World’s Alex de Miñaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-3. That result pushed the European team score to 10-5, putting them within reach of the 13 points required to clinch the cup.

The commanding margin meant Europe’s captain did not need to deploy other high-profile members of his roster, including seven-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz and tour newcomer Rafael Jódar. The victories erased the deficit left by Saturday night’s action, when de Miñaur edged Zverev 11-9 in a deciding super tiebreak to lift Team World to a 5-3 lead before Europe swept Sunday’s fixtures.

Team World’s roster included Argentina’s top-ranked player, Francisco Cerúndolo, competing in the event for the fourth year under Agassi’s leadership. Cerúndolo opened Friday’s competition by pushing Norway’s Casper Ruud to a narrow 10-8 super tiebreak decision.

Origins and Format of the Ryder Cup-Inspired Event

Established in 2017, the Laver Cup draws heavy structural inspiration from golf’s Ryder Cup. The competition was originally conceived through the representation agency of Roger Federer as a tribute to Australian tennis great Rod Laver, who twice completed the calendar-year Grand Slam in 1962 and 1969.

Noah reflected on the unique team dynamic fostered in London, where matches unfolded before notable attendees including Federer and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. “Since last year I felt that this was a human adventure,” Noah said. “The guys play throughout the year and I feel full of gratitude to be able to live these moments with them on a court and enjoy this level of tennis.”