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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Federer happy for China to host Laver Cup

Tennis - Laver Cup - Arrival of players at Gala night - Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer poses for a photograph REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

(Reuters) - Roger Federer said he would be happy for the Laver Cup to be played in China in the future, ahead of the tournament's third edition starting on Friday in Geneva.

After the inaugural Laver Cup contested between Team Europe and Team World was held in Prague in 2017, last year's tournament in Chicago drew sellout crowds as Federer and world number one Novak Djokovic helped Europe win 13-8.

"Why not... it's completely open and flexible, but you have got to ask the Laver Cup people," 20-times Grand Slam champion Federer told reporters on Thursday.

Tennis - Laver Cup Press Conference - Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer during the Team Europe press conference REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

"I'm sure they're looking into it, where it's going to go for the next decade or so.

"China has been a good place for us players. The tournaments in Shanghai and Beijing, they've been big. It's growing there as well with all the tournaments that are coming now, also on the women side.

"Sure, there's other countries and cities that really also would like it in the future. I just like it to be in the place that is super excited about hosting the Laver Cup like Prague, Chicago and now also Geneva has shown, that would be the same in China if it ever goes there."

Tennis - Laver Cup Press Conference - Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer and captain Bjorn Borg during the Team Europe press conference REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Europe also won the first edition and Team World captain John McEnroe said he hoped they could finally get one over their rivals in Switzerland.

"This is a great event and a great format I believe for our team," McEnroe said. "We've been very close obviously.

"So close yet so far, so it would be awesome if this time we can get over the hump, get a little luck going our way and step up."

Tennis - Laver Cup - Arrival of players at Gala night - Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer poses for a photograph REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Team World's Nick Kyrgios echoed McEnroe's sentiments and said he was looking forward to what is one of his favourite weeks of the year.

"The way we've come together as a group, our chemistry is much better than Team Europe's and I think that gives us a good shot in every year," Kyrgios said.

"We're out there watching each other play the entire time and I know personally I enjoy seeing my team mates out there and I know these guys feed off energy as well. I think as a group we come together."

Tennis - Laver Cup Practice - Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer during a practice session REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Team Europe: Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Fabio Fognini

Team World: John Isner, Milos Raonic, Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov and Jack Sock

Tennis - Laver Cup Practice - Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer during a practice session REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)

Tennis - Laver Cup Practice - Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer during a practice session REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Tennis - Laver Cup Practice - Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Roger Federer during a practice session REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Tennis - Laver Cup - Arrival of players at Gala night - Geneva, Switzerland - September 19, 2019 Team Europe's Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer pose for a photograph REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
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