Tiafoe out, De Minaur in for Laver Cup’s Team world roster

September, 11, 1988: The day Mats Wilander defeated Ivan Lendl in the longest US Open final of all-time

Alex de Minaur, US Open 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz

September 12, 2025

The Laver Cup‘s Team World announced a significant roster change Friday, adding World No. 8 Alex de Minaur to its lineup for the upcoming tournament in San Francisco. The top-ranked Australian will replace Frances Tiafoe, who has withdrawn from the competition. No reason was given for the change.

Tiafoe is the third American player withdrawing for the 2025 edition. Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, all initially announced their participation, but have since withdrawn.

De Minaur, 25, brings a wealth of experience and a career-high ranking to the team, making him the highest-ranked player on Team World’s roster behind only Taylor Fritz, who is ranked No. 7. The change comes just a week before the annual competition, which is set to take place at the Chase Center from September 19-21.

Alex De Minaur Laver Cup 2022 — Alex de Minaur, Laver Cup 2022 | © AI/Reuters/Panoramic

In shape De Minaur

“We will miss Frances’ energy and game in San Francisco,” Team World captain Andre Agassi said in a statement. “However, we couldn’t be more thrilled to add one of the best and most in-form players in the world to our team. I’ve admired the way Alex plays and competes from afar and now look forward to having a front row seat to watching him perform.”

De Minaur’s addition is a timely boost for a team looking to reclaim the Laver Cup title. Known for his incredible speed, relentless work ethic, and fierce competitive spirit, De Minaur has become a fixture in the ATP Tour’s top echelon. His recent form includes a title at the ATP 500 in Washington and quarterfinal appearances at both the Australian Open and the US Open this year.

“De Minaur, who had qualified for the team based on his ranking after Roland-Garros, was originally unavailable to play due to his planned travel from Australia to Asia following the US Open”, The Laver Cup recalls. “When Agassi and vice-captain Pat Rafter reached out to him with this fresh opportunity, the Aussie was keen to accept the invitation to fly back to the US and step up to support Team World as they bid to capture back the Laver Cup.”

De Minaur : “2022 London was incredible”

“It’s an honor to join Captain Agassi and Team World in San Francisco next week,” said De Minaur, who previously competed in the Laver Cup in London in 2022. “My first Laver Cup back in 2022 in London was an incredible experience and I will be ready to give it everything I’ve got to help the team lift the Laver Cup at Chase Center.”

Team Europe currently holds a 5-2 lead in the all-time series, having edged out Team World 13-11 last year in Berlin. Team World secured its first two victories in Vancouver in 2023 and London in 2022, breaking Europe’s initial four-year winning streak.

João Fonseca and Alex Michelsen will be making their Laver Cup debuts for the World Team. Jakub Mensik will make his first appearance for Team Europe. Flavio Cobolli, who was an alternate for Team Europe last year, will be a starter this year. Like Team World, with Andre Agassi replacing John McEnroe, Team Europe has new leadership with Yannick Noah taking over the captaincy from Bjorn Borg.