Top 10 star Holger Rune and fast-rising Joao Fonseca—the 2023 US Open boy's singles champion —will both make their Laver Cup debuts this year in San Francisco. Returning to the United States, the 2025 event will take place at Chase Center from Sept. 19-21.
The young Danish and Brazilian talents, respectively, join a stellar lineup that already includes Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz for Team Europe, and Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton for Team World.
Rune, currently ranked World No. 10, will represent Team Europe under captain Yannick Noah. The 22-year-old Dane has won five ATP Tour singles titles, reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals, and appeared in four ATP Masters 1000 finals, most recently at Indian Wells in March. Last month, he defeated teammate and world No. 3 Alcaraz to win the Barcelona Open. Rune was set to make his Laver Cup debut in Vancouver in 2023 but was forced to withdraw due to a back injury.
“It feels amazing to be selected to play for Team Europe in San Francisco this year,” said Rune. “I was so close to playing the Laver Cup a few years ago but unfortunately got injured and couldn’t make it. I knew that if I got the chance to play again, I would be ready and I’m really looking forward to the competition and to visiting San Francisco for the first time. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, and I know from talking to the other players that Laver Cup is one of the most enjoyable competitions of the year. I cannot wait to be part of it.”
“Holger is a fierce competitor with big-match experience and strong form this season,” added captain Noah.“I know how eager he is to be part of Laver Cup, and he will be a fantastic addition to our team in San Francisco.”
Eighteen-year-old Fonseca joins Team World following a breakout season that has made him one of the most exciting young stars in the sport. The reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion was crowned junior world No. 1 in 2023, after he won the US Open boys' singles title, and he broke into the ATP's Top 100 just 16 months later. He qualified for his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, stunning then-world No. 9 Andrey Rublev in the opening round, and in February won his first ATP title in Buenos Aires.
“I am so excited to have been selected to play for Team World at the Laver Cup,” said Fonseca. “I’ve watched the event since I was a kid and always dreamed of playing. To now be on a team with guys like Fritz, Paul and Shelton, and to be coached by Andre Agassi—it’s just unbelievable! I will give it everything I’ve got.”
Agassi, who also makes his Laver Cup debut as Team World captain this year, is delighted the young Brazilian will join the team.
“Joao is the kind of young talent that makes Laver Cup so special,” said the American. “He’s fearless, energetic, has a huge game and loves the big stage. His performance this season shows me he’s ready for this. I’m sure he will thrive in the team environment and I’m really looking forward to working with him and getting to know him better.”
Now in its eighth edition, the Laver Cup pits six of the best men’s tennis players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world in a thrilling three-day competition. The three highest-ranked players from Europe and the World, based on their ATP singles ranking as of the Monday following Roland-Garros, receive an automatic invitation to play the Laver Cup. If any one of these players chooses not to participate, the offer is made to another high-ranked player. The remaining three places on each team are ‘Captain’s Picks’ and can be announced any time before the start of the US Open. By naming Rune and Fonseca to their teams right now, Noah and Agassi are committing to use a Captain’s Pick on them if they do not qualify based on ranking.
Laver Cup will visit San Francisco for the first time this year, bringing top-level men’s pro tennis back to the Bay Area for the first time in over a decade. Chase Center, home of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors and WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, will host tennis for the first time.
A limited number of full-tournament and multi-session ticket packages are still available via Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of Chase Center. Single-session tickets go on sale this Friday, May 16, at 1 p.m. ET.
For further updates on player announcements, event updates, and ticket presales, fans are encouraged to register as a ‘Laver Cup Insider’ at lavercup.com.
