John McEnroe: Team World won't be 'villains' if they spoil Roger Federer farewell with Laver Cup victory

ByHarry Latham Coyle

Updated 22/09/2022 at 15:17 GMT

Roger Federer will partner Rafael Nadal in his final match in professional tennis, taking on Team World's American pairing of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe on the opening day of action in London. John McEnroe, who again captains Team World, has urged his pair to take the opportunity as he seeks to end Team Europe's run of Laver Cup dominance.

John McEnroe has insisted that Team World won't be "villains" if they spoil Roger Federer's farewell with victory at the Laver Cup.

Federer, who has announced he will retire after the event, will play alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal against McEnroe's chosen pairing of Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock on the opening day of action in London.

The doubles encounter will be the 41-year-old's final professional tennis match as he prepares to call time on his career.

ATP Madrid

Resurgent Nadal survives three-hour Cachin battle, Norrie crashes out

2 hours ago

Describing it as an "incredible moment", McEnroe, captain of Team World, is sure that it matters not if Federer wins his final match or not, urging his charges to play naturally as Team World seek a first Laver Cup victory.

"First of all, I just want to say that these guys aren't villains," McEnroe said of Sock and Tiafoe. "I earned that reputation. That's unfair to them.

"They are opponents to, you know, a very unique situation that we are all fortunate enough to be around. Obviously this is not another match. This is an incredible moment for our sport.

Exclusive: Nadal proud to 'have shared important moments in the history of our sport' with Federer

"The good news is that if they win, they are not going to be villains either. This is about the celebration of what Roger has accomplished and him ending it and hopefully not hurting himself, is what I'm thinking.

"So whether he wins or loses I believe is beyond the point. So that opens the door beautifully for us to go do our thing."

The highly-anticipated doubles encounter closes the opening day of competition at the O2 Arena.

Sock faces Team Europe's Casper Ruud earlier on Friday, with Diego Schwartzman's encounter with Stefanos Tsitsipas forming the second half of the day session, before Andy Murray and Alex de Minaur kick-off the evening action.

Team Europe have won each of the first four editions of the Laver Cup, including a commanding 14-1 victory in Boston last year.

‘I am happy’ – Federer says retirement decision the ‘right one’

McEnroe has presided over all of Team World's defeats as captain but feels that now might be the time for his selection to break the duck.

"I'm always ready, and I think the boys are ready," the American said. "No-one likes losing, least of all the very competitive people that are on my left and right.

"I believe we're due. It has been tough, obviously - last year was a nightmare. We know that we are up against it but we are confident."

McEnroe continued: "Obviously if you look at the rankings, we're the underdogs. That goes without saying. That's been that way from the beginning."

"If I was a player, I'd be super pumped up, because we haven't won this as a team, and I did love team events. 'Enough is enough' would be the mantra."

- - -

Stream the 2022 Laver Cup exclusively live on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

ATP Madrid

Nadal gets revenge win over De Minaur, Tsitsipas crashes out

Yesterday at 22:19

ATP Madrid

'I didn't test my body' - Nadal still undecided on French Open return

26/04/2024 at 08:51

ATP Madrid

'Trying to enjoy every moment' - Nadal continues comeback with dominant win over Blanch

26/04/2024 at 08:41