Laver Cup 2022, London, England

[Kieran]

From the beginning, many people (myself included) have viewed Laver Cup as a glorified exhibition. After the Federer/Nadal loss last night, I no longer think of it that way, considering a) Roger Federer was involved in the founding of the tournament and b) he lost his final match here.

It’s an exo, bro, nothing more than that, a burden on the schedules, though I enjoyed the way they all played it straight last night and let him retire with dignity. It was a very good match. Roger and his backhand, he only had to slot it straight down the line and it was a perfect finish. Tiafoe was party pooper with his head shots, but the lads were giggling so much it was hard to think there was anything at stake other than a nice send off for Roger.

By the way, I lazily saw a headline that says he might play again. I didn’t even bother to open the article, by Roger owes me if he does: I’ll never get them missed hours of sleep back again…

 

[Moxie]

Here's a question: was thinking, watching Murray yesterday and Norrie today. How long does Britain keep playing for Team Europe?

 

[Kieran]

Here's a question: was thinking, watching Murray yesterday and Norrie today. How long does Britain keep playing for Team Europe?

Britain…….is in Europe? So as long as they have players who are good enough?

 

[Fiero425]

Djokovic's playing like he's never missed a day on tour! He's truly on top of his game unlike earlier after absence of AO & Masters events in the Spring! He's destroying Tiafoe at the moment! Nole m/b loosening his grip on the 2nd set so it's more comp. looking after 6-1 win in the 1st!

 

[Kieran]

Djokovic's playing like he's never missed a day on tour! He's truly on top of his game unlike earlier after absence of AO & Masters events in the Spring! He's destroying Tiafoe at the moment! Nole might be loosening his grip on the 2nd set so it's more competitive looking after 6-1 win in the 1st!

Tiafoe is going to be that player - random, inconsistent, flashy, occasionally brilliant, but mentally not focused all the time…

 

[TheSicilian]

Britain…….is in Europe? So as long as they have players who are good enough?

Brexit

 

[Kieran]

Brexit

Is this where the confusion lies? Do some Americans think Brexit meant the UK left Europe?

Switzerland isn’t in Europe either, so..

 

[TheSicilian]

Is this where the confusion lies? Do some Americans think Brexit meant the UK left Europe?

Switzerland isn’t in Europe either, so..

I'm not sure. But I have heard people question why England were playing in the Euro's football last year after Brexit

 

[Fiero425]

I'm not sure. But I have heard people question why England were playing in the Euro's football last year after Brexit

Brexit not a physical break w/ Europe; more economic when it comes to mutal contributions to European Union! Trade was disrupted the most!

 

[Kieran]

Brexit not a physical break w/ Europe; more economic when it comes to mutal contributions to European Union! Trade was disrupted the most!

It’s incredible how often it was framed by some people as a physical break from Europe. Hysterical headlines: “The UK is leaving Europe!”

“The UK is now flying over the Med!”

“The UK has now joined Asia!”

“The UK is leaving Asia!”

 

[Moxie]

Is this where the confusion lies? Do some Americans think Brexit meant the UK left Europe?

Switzerland isn’t in Europe either, so..

You muffed your own point. Switzerland IS in Europe. So is Britain (or at least Europe-adjacent.) Neither is part of the EU. That was your distinction, I get that. Europe is also in The World. Maybe they should call the other team Everyone Else.

 

[the AntiPusher]

From the beginning, many people (myself included) have viewed Laver Cup as a glorified exhibition. After the Federer/Nadal loss last night, I no longer think of it that way, considering a) Roger Federer was involved in the founding of the tournament and b) he lost his final match here.

Thanks Tented . That's was a very entertaining match. I wished Roger would have considered playing doubles next year. I know we have been so spoiled by his longevity and he should see how well his countrywoman Hingis did post singles career.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I agree I was the same until last night. I also thought the way Tiafoe was trying to win some points by aiming directly at Fedal on multiple occasions shows this was anything but an exhibition!! You have to be pretty desperate to win if your trying to hit Fed to win the point in his retirement match

Rafa had a chance to hit Tiafoe in the 2nd set but hit the worst FH I ever seen him attempt. Yes it was an exhibition for Rafa, yet Frances was playing like it was DC.

 

[Kieran]

You muffed your own point. Switzerland IS in Europe. So is Britain (or at least Europe-adjacent.) Neither is part of the EU. That was your distinction, I get that. Europe is also in The World. Maybe they should call the other team Everyone Else.

Britain isn’t “Europe-adjacent”, it’s in Europe!

That “Europe is in the world” distinction is one the missus made last night. I never pay attention to the Laver Cup so I thought the other team was “The Rest of the World” and just called “world” on the scoreboard for brevity…

 

[Moxie]

Britain isn’t “Europe-adjacent”, it’s in Europe!

Separated by water.

 

[Fiero425]

Rafa had a chance to hit Tiafoe in the 2nd set, but hit the worst FH I ever seen him attempt. Yes, it was an exhibition for Rafa, yet Frances was playing like it was DC.

It seems "to be on" this year! Every time I surf by, the play seems to be serious stuff! Novak was "in the zone" dusting Tiafoe in the 1st set 6-1! He was relentless trying not to give up points! Frances was lucky to get some "helping luck" with a couple of "dribblers" over the net Nole couldn't run down! Djokovic's 1st serve % was over 90%! People were feeling sorry for The World and Tiafoe alike! FAA and Frtiz were sitting there in stunned silence!

 

[Kieran]

Separated by water.

That’s like saying Hawaii is US-adjacent. The UK is in Europe, we don’t use terms like adjacent over here. Ireland is in Europe too!

 

[Moxie]

That’s like saying Hawaii is US-adjacent. The UK is in Europe, we don’t use terms like adjacent over here. Ireland is in Europe too!

You know I'm just torturing you, and the point. There is Continental Europe, plus Britain and Ireland. I accept that it's all Europe. Same as there is the Continental US, plus Hawaii and Alaska. Hawaii, however, is not in North America, just because it's part of the US. It's really far away. Pretty, though. It's OK, I guess, since we're just The Rest of the World.

 

[Moxie]

It’s an exo, bro, nothing more than that, a burden on the schedules, though I enjoyed the way they all played it straight last night and let him retire with dignity. It was a very good match. Roger and his backhand, he only had to slot it straight down the line and it was a perfect finish. Tiafoe was party pooper with his head shots, but the lads were giggling so much it was hard to think there was anything at stake other than a nice send off for Roger.

By the way, I lazily saw a headline that says he might play again. I didn’t even bother to open the article, by Roger owes me if he does: I’ll never get them missed hours of sleep back again…

I rather agree with you. It still feels like an exhibition to me, which is why I didn't really care who won. (If you can get Rafa laughing in the middle of a match, he's not taking it seriously. That tells me enough, right there.) Don't get me wrong...I think it's a really fun tournament. However, it has a completely different format to any other tournament, and the players are not nominated in order of ranking. Obviously not, with Roger and Andy in there. So it's an invitational.

It was all about Roger's retirement, and they did it really well. Good match, and I can see now why he felt it was a good way/place to go out. Which is why I don't think he's coming back. We all bet he'd go out in Basel. But this makes more sense. The 02 in London, huge crowds, the greats around him, stars in the crowd, and a last match paired with Rafa. It has to be everything he wanted. He's not coming back to do that again.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I rather agree with you. It still feels like an exhibition to me, which is why I didn't really care who won. (If you can get Rafa laughing in the middle of a match, he's not taking it seriously. That tells me enough, right there.) Don't get me wrong...I think it's a really fun tournament. However, it has a completely different format to any other tournament, and the players are not nominated in order of ranking. Obviously not, with Roger and Andy in there. So it's an invitational.

It was all about Roger's retirement, and they did it really well. Good match, and I can see now why he felt it was a good way/place to go out. Which is why I don't think he's coming back. We all bet he'd go out in Basel. But this makes more sense. The 02 in London, huge crowds, the greats around him, stars in the crowd, and a last match paired with Rafa. It has to be everything he wanted. He's not coming back to do that again.

Tom Brady and Jordan retired and came back. Roger still may return to play doubles.Just my opinion