Rod Laver, the namesake of the Laver Cup and the only player in history to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam twice, returns to Melbourne in January for the Australian Open.
The 87-year-old Australian legend will attend the inaugural Opening Ceremony at Rod Laver Arena on January 17 joined by a glittering lineup of greats that includes six-time Australian Open champion Roger Federer, Team World Captain Andre Agassi – a four-time winner in Melbourne – 2005 finalist Lleyton Hewitt and Team World Vice Captain Patrick Rafter, who reached the semifinals in 2001, falling to Agassi in a memorable five-set encounter.
The Laver Cup was founded to honor Laver and his fellow barnstormers who helped shaped professional tennis. He has attended all eight editions since the inaugural Laver Cup Prague 2017. In this exclusive interview with LaverCup.com, Laver reflects on the 2026 season, shares his thoughts on who he believes will lift the first major of the year, and looks ahead to the ninth edition of the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25-27.
How does it feel to be returning to Melbourne for a special Opening Ceremony at the AO?
I love coming to Melbourne and seeing all the improvements at Melbourne Park, and the Opening Ceremony shows the AO keeps getting better every year. It’s always special watching tennis in Rod Laver Arena. Given all the great Australian tennis champions I’m still humbled that they named the AO’s center court after me.
You will be seeing Roger Federer again, one of the greatest AO champions to have graced the courts at Melbourne Park.
This year Roger is returning for the first time since he officially retired at the Laver Cup in 2022. I have had the honor of presenting Roger with the AO trophy, which he has won six times, and also when he has been runner-up, which was very emotional. It will be quite something to be there at the Opening Ceremony instead of the closing ceremony!
Roger Federer won his seventh Grand Slam title at Australian Open 2006, coming from a set down to beat unseeded Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis. Rod Laver looks on during an emotional presentation ceremony.
Andre Agassi will also be there, along with Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. What does this mean for you?Agassi is another great Australian Open champion, and now the Captain of Team World at the Laver Cup where he has already had great success. Pat and Lleyton are two of the greatest and most popular Australian players of the modern era. Who could forget Pat’s close loss to Agassi in the semifinals in 2001, and then of course Hewitt reaching the final against Marat Safin in 2005? So, to put all these great champions together for the Opening Ceremony is quite something. Not only that, but they are also going to play a match in a battle of the No.1s. I am thrilled to be part of it all.
Who do you think will win the Australian Open Men’s singles title this year?
It’s extremely difficult to predict, which is a great situation for tennis to be in. So many players could take it. Of course, Sinner and Alcaraz are top of the list as their rivalry grows. Sinner continues to strengthen his game, and is the two-time defending champion, but if the conditions are hot, I’d say Carlos has an edge and his desire to win is going to be higher than ever because he hasn’t won it before. And I’d never rule out Novak Djokovic, he loves the conditions Down Under.
Winning any major is a herculean feat. In the Australian summer, when temperatures soar and expectations are high, five sets become an endurance test of unparalleled limits.
Rod Laver won 11 majors including three in Australia: 1960, 1962 and 1969, claiming the calendar-year Grand Slam twice.
Who else are you excited to watch in January and for the rest of the year?
So many players. I’m backing Alex de Minaur to go a long way, as he was in the mix at every Grand Slam tournament last year and he has that never-say-die attitude. The next generation could also surprise. I was impressed with Joao Fonseca at the Laver Cup, I think he could do a lot of damage and he seems fearless, as does the young American, Learner Tien.
The Laver Cup returns to London in September at The O2. What memories do you have of the 2022 edition there?
That was an incredible tournament. Friday night and saying farewell to Roger as a professional tennis player was deeply moving, especially waiting on the court to embrace him along with all those people who have meant so much to him. The applause and tears were flowing that night. Then of course John McEnroe and his team finally won the Laver Cup, but it was down to the wire the whole way. I try to stay impartial, but it was hard not to be happy for Team World, they were over the moon. I love being in London, the fans are very knowledgeable about tennis and The O2 is a spectacular venue. I’m so pleased the Laver Cup is returning there, with a new set of Captains and already two of the best players in the world with Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz confirmed. I think it will be different, a whole new ball game, but just as special.
Roger Federer greets Rod Laver at The O2 in 2022 when the Swiss great official retired at th Laver Cup
How was it for you in San Francisco, watching the new teams and new captains?
It was fascinating to watch. Having Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi at the helm created a very different dynamic. It was just as intense as in previous years with Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, but the chemistry was different as you would expect. I loved watching the way the players gelled and backed each other, and how invested the captains were in winning.
Who do you predict will win Laver Cup 2026?
It’s getting harder to call it each year. In the past, people said Team Europe have had the edge because their players tend to be higher ranked. But Team World has proved that rankings don’t matter so much. It’s what happens on the court between the lines that makes the difference, how the players push each other on, and how playing for a team can add pressure, but it can also add inspiration. Many of the Team World players who won in San Francisco beat higher-ranked opponents. Europe will be extremely motivated to win back the Laver Cup. Only one player has been named so far for each team so it is early to predict the winner. I expect it will be very close.
