Nakashima on Laver Cup debut: “It’s an event I’ve always dreamed of playing”

Brandon Nakashima will make his Laver Cup debut for Team World in London next week, replacing US Open runner-up Ben Shelton, organisers announced on Thursday.

The World No. 16 joins Andre Agassi’s side for the ninth edition of the event, staged at The O2 from 25-27 September, the competition’s first return to London since 2022, when Roger Federer played the last match of his career there alongside Rafael Nadal.

Team World: second late change in a week

No reason was given for Shelton’s withdrawal, though the US Open runner-up is due to play Davis Cup for the United States in the Czech Republic from Friday, less than a week after losing the US Open final to Alexander Zverev – a defeat that still lifted him to a career-high No. 4. Zverev will be on the other bench in London, in Yannick Noah’s Team Europe.

It is the second change to Agassi’s roster inside a week. Tommy Paul withdrew through injury on 12 September and was replaced by Francisco Cerúndolo. Team World arrive as defending champions, having beaten Team Europe 15-9 in San Francisco last year.

Nakashima: Montreal final, Cincinnati semis, first Top 20

Nakashima has had much the best season of his career. He reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Montreal in August and the semi-finals the following week in Cincinnati, results that took him into the world’s Top 20 for the first time.

“I’m really excited to be making my Laver Cup debut in London,” he said. “It’s an event I’ve always dreamed of playing, and I can’t wait to be part of Team World, competing alongside the guys and playing for Andre and Pat (Rafter, vice-captain). Looking forward to getting to The O2 and doing everything I can to help the team.”

Noah’s Team Europe, with Tim Henman as vice-captain, is made up of Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Flavio Cobolli, Casper Ruud, Jakub Menšík and Rafael Jódar, the 20-year-old Spaniard who is the side’s only newcomer and will also be making his debut.