Zverev secures Laver Cup for Team Europe, reclaiming trophy 13-5

Alexander Zverev beat Learner Tien 7-6 (3), 6-3 at the O2 on Sunday to win the Laver Cup for Team Europe, who reclaim the trophy they lost in San Francisco last year with a 13-5 victory and two matches to spare.

Yannick Noah’s side had led 7-5 overnight and needed two wins from Sunday’s four matches. They took the first, Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik beating Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-3 in the opening doubles to move to 10-5, before Zverev finished the job in the second. Carlos Alcaraz against de Minaur and Rafael Jodar against Fritz were not played.

For Zverev, it answers his own defeat to de Minaur on Saturday afternoon, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 11-9. Europe had gone into the final day in front thanks to Alcaraz saving two match points against Fritz, 6-3, 4-6, 13-11, and to Zverev’s own night doubles win alongside Casper Ruud over Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima, 6-4, 7-6 (7).

This year I think we had a great team, great team chemistry, a great team effort.

Zverev was the first to point out the other half of his record here. “I haven’t won a match in two years here, so I’m happy that I did it today,” he said on court. “Massive credit to the entire Team World. They pushed us all the way again, and they were champions last year. This year I think we had a great team, great team chemistry, a great team effort.”

He also credited the cushion the doubles had given him an hour earlier: “We had three chances to close it out in the singles, and especially with Carlos playing after me, that gives me a lot of confidence, gives me a little bit of freedom to play. But it was still an incredibly tough match, credit to Learner as well. I think Carlos is also very happy that I closed it out, and me too, by the way.”

Asked what he likes most about an event he has now played seven times, more than any other player in its history, the German did not hesitate. “Winning as a team. There’s no better feeling in sports, and we don’t have enough of it in tennis,” he said. “Being among these great players who I normally see across the net every single week, and playing alongside of them, playing alongside two great captains with Yannick and Tim. Well, one is very good: Yannick is the best captain ever, and Tim has to work on it a little bit.”

Flavio Cobolli had waited for his doubles win. “It’s the third year that I came into the Laver Cup and I never won a match, so I’m really happy it happens here in London, where I love to play, and especially with one of my best friends on tour,” the Italian said on court. “I’m not a doubles specialist, but it’s one of the best performances ever for me.”

Jakub Mensik, whom Patrick McEnroe had just called the MVP of the match from the commentary box, was more interested in how badly it had begun. “We didn’t start well, especially me on the serve. I struggled to find the rhythm a little bit, and it’s never easy when you start losing,” the Czech said.

“In the first few games we were the worst ones on the court, but then we got into it and I started to feel more comfortable.” He also pointed to Friday night, when he won the doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz: “As far as me and doubles, the more I’m playing, the better I’m getting, so playing with Carlos on the first day helped a lot. On the return I was feeling really great, and on the net it was not bad, I guess.”

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 1 results

• Casper RUUD (EUR) bt Francisco CERUNDOLO (WLD) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8
• Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD) bt Jakub MENSIK (EUR) 6-1, 3-6, 10-7
• Rafael JODAR (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK (WLD) 6-2, 6-3
• Carlos ALCARAZ / Jakub MENSIK (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK / Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 6-4, 6-4
  
  Team Europe 3, Team World 1 (each match worth 1 point)

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 2 results

• Learner TIEN (WLD) bt Flavio COBOLLI (EUR) 6-3, 2-6, 10-7
• Alex DE MINAUR (WLD) bt Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) 2-6, 7-6 (7), 11-9
• Carlos ALCARAZ (EUR) bt Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 6-3, 4-6, 13-11
• Casper RUUD / Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) bt Alexander BUBLIK / Brandon NAKASHIMA (WLD) 6-4, 7-6 (7)
  
  Team Europe 7, Team World 5 (each match worth 2 points)

LAVER CUP 2026, Day 3 results

• Flavio COBOLLI / Jakub MENSIK (EUR) bt Alex DE MINAUR / Taylor FRITZ (WLD) 7-5, 6-3
• Alexander ZVEREV (EUR) bt Learner TIEN (WLD) 7-6 (3), 6-3
• Carlos ALCARAZ (EUR) vs Alex DE MINAUR (WLD): not played
• Rafael JODAR (EUR) vs Taylor FRITZ (WLD): not played
  
  Final: Team Europe 13, Team World 5 (each match worth 3 points)