Roger Federer excited to welcome Laver Cup to San Francisco for first time - 'To come back to America is always great'
Published 12/04/2025 at 13:57 GMT+1
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Tennis legend Roger Federer took time out of his visit to The Masters to preview the Laver Cup in September, which returns to the United States for the first time since 2021 as the tennis tournament makes its debut in San Francisco. The Laver Cup pits Team World against Team Europe each year. Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah will make their first appearance as captains this year.
Federer teases exhibition return, compares Masters to Wimbledon
Video credit: SNTV
It may be five months away, but Roger Federer is already looking ahead to the Laver Cup in September as it makes its debut in San Francisco.
While speaking at Augusta National, home to The Masters golf tournament, the tennis legend and Laver Cup founder previewed the tournament as it returns to the United States for the first time since Boston in 2021.
Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah will make their first appearances as captains of Team World and Team Europe respectively.
"For the Laver Cup to come back to America is always great," said Federer, who played in four of the first five tournaments. "We were in Chicago and Boston, two very successful Laver Cups, and now we're going to San Francisco."
The Chase Center is the venue for the 2025 Laver Cup, and Federer feels it will be a memorable event.
"It's an amazing stadium, where the Golden State Warriors play," Federer said. "I’ve been there, and I thought it was incredible. I wish I could play this year, but those days are over. I really enjoyed it as a fan.
"From what I’m hearing, ticket sales are going really well, and I think the Bay Area will embrace tennis. They don’t see much tennis overall, and some of the greatest players on the planet are coming. It's really exciting. Berlin was a huge success in Germany. I was there last year and had the best time. I'm sure San Francisco will be equally successful."
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The Laver Cup is played on a trademark black court that sets it apart physically from the rest of the tennis season, while it is two teams locking horns as opposed to individuals bidding for glory.
"It's different from Wimbledon or any other event," continued Federer. "The black court adds to the atmosphere, and the whole branding is nice. But what’s really special is the team environment - having the European team come together.
"It’s a team you’ll never see anywhere else, with players from different countries fighting for the Laver Cup title and playing for Rod Laver, one of the most inspirational figures in tennis in my mind.
"We’ve had Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe as captains, and now it’s moving on. In San Francisco, we’ll have new captains: Yannick Noah for Europe and Andre Agassi for the World. This aspect makes the Laver Cup very different and unique."
The Swiss icon, who views golf and tennis as two of the hardest sports in the world, also compared Augusta to both the Laver Cup and Wimbledon in a figurative and physical sense.
"What I love about Augusta is how much the past champions are celebrated," Federer said. "That’s also what the Laver Cup is supposed to be - a generational thing. Players today should learn from their captains and embrace the deep history of tennis.
"I think the Laver Cup can really stimulate a lot of thoughts in a player's mind and give them a great opportunity to shine and learn, which will help them when they go back on tour the following week."
If it resembles the Laver Cup in a metaphorical sense, it is in appearance that Federer feels Augusta compares with Wimbledon.
"The atmosphere here definitely compares to Wimbledon," he said. "Very calm, but with explosive clapping for great shots. It's very similar to Wimbledon. One obvious similarity is that most tennis tournaments are played on hard court or clay, with very few left on grass.
"So, both Wimbledon and Augusta are played on grass with golf obviously being played on grass. There are a lot of similarities, like the 18th hole and the stadium-like feel. I like how 18th here is set up, similar to Wimbledon’s Centre Court, also with the flowers around. When you walk around Wimbledon, it is very beautiful and here in Augusta at The Masters it is very much the same."
Watch and stream the 2025 tennis season, including the French Open, on TNT Sports and discovery+
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