Should the Laver Cup Be an Official ATP Tournament?

The Laver Cup was first held in 2017 to honor the legendary Rod Laver, the only man to achieve the Calendar-Year Grand Slam. Spearheaded by Roger Federer and his management company Team8, the event took inspiration from golf’s Ryder Cup, introducing a new format where Team Europe faces Team World.

Since 2019, the ATP has officially included the Laver Cup on its calendar, and the two sides renewed their agreement in 2024. Yet the event still offers no ranking points, and this unusual status has fueled an ongoing debate about where it truly belongs within professional tennis.

Why the Laver Cup Should Join the ATP Tour in full

The Laver Cup offers the ATP a unique regional team event, unlike the nation-based Davis Cup. It creates rare partnerships such as Federer and Nadal in doubles and adds energy through bench celebrations and on-court coaching. At the same time, it honors Rod Laver and has involved legends like Björn Borg and John McEnroe as captains in previous editions, keeping the sport’s history alive while exciting fans and players alike.

Even more importantly, the Laver Cup has become a commercial powerhouse. It sells out major arenas, attracts global TV audiences, and generates a level of buzz on par with any other event. Its financial strength makes it one of the ATP’s most valuable assets – albeit one that has been slightly diminished by the absence of the Big Three, Federer most of all. Keeping the event official secures the tour’s connection to one of the sport’s most marketable and profitable products—something no governing body would want to lose.

Why the Laver Cup Shouldn’t Join the official ATP Tour

One major issue is the lack of merit-based qualifications. Players don’t earn their spots through rankings or results; instead, team captains make the selections. This system creates the impression of favouritism and undermines the competitive credibility expected from an ATP event.

The absence of ranking points presents another problem. Players dedicate their careers to climbing the ATP ladder, yet the Laver Cup contributes nothing to that pursuit. Without points, the event risks being seen as a high-profile exhibition rather than a legitimate competition.

The format itself also divides opinion. Matches use best-of-three scoring, but the deciding set is replaced by a match tiebreak. While this structure ensures quick, crowd-pleasing action, it lacks the competitive depth of traditional ATP matches.

Scheduling makes matters worse. The event takes place immediately after the US Open, a period when many players are already exhausted from the grind of the season and looking to manage their fitness ahead of the Asian swing. Adding another tournament, especially one that demands travel across continents, only intensifies the strain and raises the risk of injury.

Finally, the tone of the competition often drifts into exhibition territory. Players joke on the sidelines, coach each other mid-match, and experiment with their shot selection. Although fans enjoy the lighter atmosphere, this approach contrasts with the professionalism and seriousness normally associated with ATP-sanctioned tournaments.

A Divided Debate

The Laver Cup has quickly become one of tennis’s most popular events, blending drama, entertainment, and a tribute to the sport’s history. Supporters emphasize its unique team spirit and commercial success as proof that it belongs on the ATP calendar. Skeptics, however, point to the lack of ranking points, clear qualification, and traditional match rigor as reasons it feels more like an exhibition.