The buzz is building for the 2025 Laver Cup, with legends Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi stepping in as team captains for the first time.
Over the weekend, players officially touched down in San Francisco. Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are leading Team Europe as they look to defend their title against Team World, headlined by Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.
Laver Cup’s social channels shared shots of Alcaraz, Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Joao Fonseca arriving at their team hotel in the Bay Area. Some players came straight from Davis Cup duty, while others joined in after a much-needed post–US Open vacation.
It’s a packed week ahead: suit fittings, press rounds, gala night, team practices—and of course, the main event at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
Alcaraz’s hair, which became the viral story of the US Open, is still bringing the memes. When the world No. 1 and his entourage stepped out of their car, it was clear his crew had joined in the fun—bleaching or shaving their own heads.
“Look at this guy!” Ruud laughed, pointing at one member of Alcaraz’s team. “He had to!” Alcaraz shot back.
The makeover traces back to New York, where older brother Alvaro botched a haircut so badly that Carlos had no choice but to shave it all off. He revealed the new look in his opening US Open match, sparking memes and player reactions. After promising an even bolder style if he won, Alcaraz went platinum blond to celebrate his title.
This week, he headlines a stacked Team Europe boasting five Top 20 players—Zverev, Holger Rune, and Ruud among them—under captain Yannick Noah and vice-captain Tim Henman.
Team World, meanwhile, suffered several high-profile withdrawals (Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe) and brings just two Top 20 stars in Fritz and De Minaur. They’re joined by Francisco Cerundolo and Reilly Opelka, with Agassi and Pat Rafter at the helm.
Both squads feature a rising star making their debut: Brazil’s 19-year-old Joao Fonseca for Team World and Czech 20-year-old Jakub Mensik for Team Europe—both eager to leave their mark on the Bay.