Federer Takes the Lead on Laver Cup Post-Retirement, Event's Commercial Performance Hits New High This Year
On Monday morning Beijing time, the 2025 Laver Cup concluded in San Francisco: Team World defeated Team Europe 15-9, reclaiming the title after two years.
As the event's founder, retired "tennis king" Roger Federer has made the Laver Cup a key focus, constantly exploring how to better integrate sports and entertainment.
This year's Laver Cup saw NBA star Stephen Curry (second from right) ignite the atmosphere. He was responsible for the coin toss before the match between Alcaraz and Fritz.
Federer said in an interview with Sporting News: "I'm a big tennis historian, and understanding people like Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Rod Laver has always been important. But I've come to realize that players sometimes don't look back anymore, and that's normal. But they should know the past. I think through the Laver Cup, we try a little bit. I hope hearing these stories of the good old days truly makes them understand how lucky we are and who paved the way for us."
The Laver Cup has not only survived a congested tennis calendar and the cancellation of the 2020 event but has become one of the sport's annual highlights. Federer and agent Tony Godsick (left, below) are the driving forces behind the event.
Laver Cup Chairman Tony Godsick recently revealed in an interview with CNBC that Federer is not a "hands-off" boss but is personally involved in the event's preparation: "Every Monday, he (Federer) comes with a little notebook filled with 25 things we're doing well or could improve, plus some new ideas."
Federer said that creating the Laver Cup allowed him to realize and surpass his vision of Team Europe versus Team World, but he believes the event's significance goes far beyond that.
"When Tony and I launched this event, our idea was that it had to be a real tennis match, not a circus. This format of Team Europe versus Team World brings out the best and creates a truly vibrant atmosphere." Federer explained.
Laver Cup CEO Steve Zacks revealed that this year's ticket and sponsorship revenue will exceed $20 million, breaking the record set in 2022. Tony Godsick said in an interview as early as May: "Ticket demand has exceeded our wildest expectations."
Over the past few years, the Laver Cup's revenue has been as follows:
- The 2022 Laver Cup was held at The O2 in London, with total revenue of £28.4 million ($38.4 million at current exchange rates).
- The 2023 Laver Cup in Vancouver, Canada, generated total revenue of approximately $33.3 million.
- The 2024 Berlin event saw total revenue drop 6% to $31.4 million, with ticket revenue roughly flat compared to 2023, but event revenue fell 19% to $10.3 million. In 2023 and 2024 combined, the Laver Cup generated a profit of $11.4 million.
The Laver Cup changes venues each year, alternating between European cities and cities in the rest of the world. Federer said his goal is to bring the Laver Cup to more cities, especially places where people don't often get to see tennis matches.
"Asia could be good, and I'd also like to go to South America. Unfortunately, we only have one Laver Cup a year, but I'm glad many cities now want to host it, which wasn't the case at the beginning."
| Source: Tennis.com, Sportico, Tennis Actu TV (France), Sporting News
| Image: Laver Cup official website
| Editor: Esther