Laver Cup 2024 Recap
On paper, everyone expected Europe to dominate the 2024 Laver Cup. Their team had an average player ranking of 6.83, far higher than Team World's 28.33. Bjorn Borg's European team boasted five top-10 players, including Stefanos Tsitsipas (ranked No. 12).
However, as often happens at the Laver Cup, Team World, full of grit, determination, and motivation, surprised everyone. At some point during Day 3, John McEnroe’s team led 11-4, putting Europe in a tough spot. Europe needed to win the two remaining singles matches to clinch the title and stop Team World's dominance from continuing for a third straight year.
Alexander Zverev was the first to step up, beating Frances Tiafoe in the 3rd set tiebreak (6-7, 7-5, 10-5). Everything then rested on Carlos Alcaraz, who, according to Zverev, had chosen the lineup for the competition’s final day himself.
Despite the immense pressure, Alcaraz, a player expected to challenge the records of the Big 3 and destined for Newport’s Hall of Fame, delivered a stellar performance. He comfortably defeated Taylor Fritz, setting a tournament record with 8 points and securing the title for Team Europe.
The "Netflix Curse"
When Netflix released Break Point, a documentary series chronicling the lives of top tennis players both on and off the court, it promised to introduce fans to a new side of the sport. The series followed rising stars, giving viewers a glimpse into their personal lives, the emotional toll of competition, and their aspirations to break through the ranks of tennis's elite.
However, what seemed like an opportunity to boost these players’ profiles unexpectedly became known as the “Netflix Curse,” with several featured athletes experiencing surprising dips in performance or injuries soon after the show aired.
The Origins of the Netflix Curse
The so-called “Netflix Curse” started gaining attention as many of the players featured in Break Point began to struggle, either bowing out early at the Australian Open or dealing with unexpected injuries.
While the series cast a spotlight on some of the sport's most promising talents, it seemed that the increased exposure coincided with poor showings in their subsequent matches, leading fans and media alike to speculate about whether the documentary had, unintentionally, jinxed the players.
Following the release of the series, several players—most of them favorites to win big—saw their journey end early at the Australian Open.
Episode 1: Nick Kyrgios (Injured) and Thanasi Kokkinakis (R64)
Episode 2: Matteo Berrettini (R128) and Ajla Tomljanovic (Injured)
Episode 3: Taylor Fritz (R64) and Maria Sakkari (R32)
Episode 4: Paula Badosa (Injured) and Ons Jabeur (R64)
Episode 5: Félix Auger-Aliassime (R16) and Casper Ruud (R64)
The Laver Cup Curse?
After the conclusion of the Laver Cup last Sunday, the players had to travel to Asia to compete in the Beijing and Tokyo tournaments. It would be naive to think that the players from Team Europe didn’t celebrate in Berlin on Sunday night to mark their victory, adding to their fatigue. So it’s no huge surprise that players who took part in this weekend's exhibition tournament are underperforming this week, especially with the quality of their opponent, but still.
Among the twelve regular players who participated in the Laver Cup, five have already been eliminated, two are injured/ill, and one is not playing in any tournament this week. Of the four remaining players, three have yet to play their first match.
Team World
Francisco Cerundolo - Will face Jakub Mensik.
Taylor Fritz - Lost to Arthur Fils 4-6, 6-3, 3-6.
Thanasi Kokkinakis - Not participating in a tournament this week.
Ben Shelton - Defeated Reilly Opelka 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Alejandro Tabilo - Lost to Holger Rune 2-6, 7-5, 4-6.
Frances Tiafoe - Lost to Brandon Nakashima 5-7, 3-6.
Team Europe
Carlos Alcaraz - Will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Grigor Dimitrov - Injured.
Daniil Medvedev - Will face Gael Monfils.
Casper Ruud - Lost to Jordan Thompson 6-7, 1-6.
Stefanos Tsitsipas - Lost to Alex Michelsen 6-4, 1-6, 2-6.
Alexander Zverev - Illness.
This is a tough outcome for players who were considered favorites to win the tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing. The performance of the four remaining players this week will help determine whether this was truly a curse or just a very rough weekend.
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