The Tennis Podcast Has Laver Cup won us over?
Sep 23, 2025
Matt Futterman, a sports writer for The Athletic, shares his first-hand experience from the Laver Cup in San Francisco. Initially skeptical, he describes how the electric atmosphere and engaging format won him over. The hosts dive into the implications of the event on the tennis calendar and discuss Roger Federer's influence. They also analyze Iga Swiatek's impressive title win in Seoul, Alejandro Tabilo's comeback victory, and preview upcoming ATP and WTA events in Beijing and Tokyo.
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Graduated Scoring Maintains Suspense
- Graduated scoring (1-2-3 points) kept Sunday decisive and prevented early dead rubbers.
- The structure maintained suspense across sessions and rewarded late-day wins.
Rivalry Limits Laver Cup's Gravitas
- Laver Cup lacks historical national rivalry so it can't match Ryder Cup seriousness.
- Still, player buy-in and entertainment value carve a distinct place in the calendar.
Big Money Can Eclipse Traditional Team Events
- Laver Cup's commercial heft and scheduling can overshadow established national team events.
- The event's timing and pay structure risk drawing attention away from Davis and Billie Jean King Cups.