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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Benjamin Goddard

John McEnroe dances as Team World celebrate Laver Cup victory for first time

John McEnroe showed he still has some moves by performing a celebratory dance after leading Team World to Laver Cup glory, beating Team Europe for the first time in London on Sunday night.

Team Europe have won each year since the competition was introduced in 2017, but saw their winning run end as Frances Tiafoe beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 7-6, 10-8 to complete a 13-8 victory in the first to 13 points Ryder Cup style event.

And following the triumph, McEnroe let out a celebratory dance as the Team World players gathered in a circle to mark the occasion.

"We finally got a win, Team World," said McEnroe on court while celebrating.

"It has been a long time, we've been beaten up a few times but we've been so close and we could taste it. You know I didn’t really need to fire them up a whole lot as you pointed out we lost the first four so we were sick of, you know...my brother said it aptly, no one beats Team World five years in a row.

"This is a great group of young guys we've got here. We kept battling when it looked like we were in trouble. The fans in London have been absolutely awesome.

McEnroe performed a dance on court after winning the Laver Cup for a first time (Eurosport)

American Tiafoe reached the US Open semi-final earlier this month and joined Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman, Alex De Minaur and Jack Sock in the Team World side led by McEnroe.

A memorable night in London saw Team World reverse a 4-8 deficit into a 13-8 victory. Auger-Aliassime put in a star performance teaming up with Jack Sock to beat Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini.

The Canadian world number 15 then beat Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 before Tiafoe came back from a set down to prevail against Tsitsipas in a tense tie-breaker that lasted over 20 minutes.

"I had a feeling," said Tiafoe after hitting the winning points.

McEnroe celebrates with Jack Sock after watching his side win the Laver Cup (Getty Images for Laver Cup)

"Our captain John (McEnroe) was dropping a lot of f-bombs and saying we need to get it done this year. It's his fifth try and I kept saying all week in the lead up that this was our year.

"It wasn't just me, we all did it together. I showed a lot of heart to get this done, I was getting my ass kicked for a while then but just kept on going. We're going to celebrate big tonight."

The Laver Cup was created in honour of 11-time Grand Slam singles winner Rod Laver with six of the best players in Europe taking on six of their counterparts from across the world in singles and doubles matches.

McEnroe and Team World celebrate victory in the doubles match between Felix Auger-Aliassime/Jack Sock and Matteo Berrettini/Andy Murray (Getty Images for Laver Cup)

The weekend also marked an emotional retirement for Roger Federer who played his final professional match alongside Rafael Nadal in a doubles 6-4, 6-7(2), 9-11 defeat against Sock and Tiafoe.

"I can't picture a better weekend for the players," added McEnroe.

"We got Rod Laver who was my idol, all time great Roger Federer one of the greatest nights that I've been slight a part of, just being there was unbelievable.

"To have it end this way, these guys are the best. I love everybody baby."

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