What would the Laver Cup have looked like if it existed before 2017

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The first edition of the Laver Cup took place in 2017, quickly becoming a fan-favorite event on the tennis calendar.

The Laver Cup pits the best in Europe against the best from the rest of the World in a three-day competition.

Four points are available on day one, eight on day two, and 12 on day three, as the first team to reach 13 points takes home the title.

In the seven editions of the Laver Cup to date, Team Europe has won on five occasions, thanks to a wealth of talent on the ATP Tour.

Of the six players on each team, three qualify thanks to their ATP ranking following the French Open, whilst three more are ‘captain’s picks’, allowing for doubles specialists or lower-ranked stars to be selected.

The best on the ATP Tour have competed in the event since its conception seven years ago, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, and Taylor Fritz all taking to the court.

Europe have had the better of those exchanges to date, but how would things have gone down in years gone by?

2016 Laver Cup

Just one year before the event was born, 2016 could’ve provided an absolute classic event.

Ok, at first glance it may look like a Team Europe whitewash with five of the world’s top six players in their line-up, but when you look closer things get a lot more exciting.

Nishikori was a tough-out for anyone on the ATP Tour and would’ve held wins over every member of Team Europe, whilst Milos Raonic was enjoying the best year of his career in 2016.

John Isner was always a tough test, and Nick Kyrgios has never been afraid to step up to the big occasion.

The big question mark would’ve been the Bryan Brothers, who whilst potentially beyond the peak of their powers in 2016, were still immense in doubles, and would’ve been heavy favorites to pick up a lot of points for the team.

On the whole, you’d still have to give the edge to the Europeans for obvious reasons, but it could’ve made for some excellent viewing.

2005 Laver Cup

Going way back to 2005, the Laver Cup would’ve looked very different, with Team World able to produce several top-ten stars for their line-up.

In a much more evenly balanced field, Team World would be in with a good shot of taking home the title with Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick leading the line.

Having Andre Agassi waiting in the wings and a much younger Bryan brothers pairing would make them a real threat to Team Europe.

Taking down Federer in 2005 was pretty much impossible, however, as he lost just four times all year, and with Nadal alongside they wouldn’t be easy to beat.

The Russian duo of Marat Safin and Nikolay Davydenko could also cause some real problems, as things would no doubt go right down to the wire.

2001 Laver Cup

In 2001, Team World may well have been favorites for the Laver Cup, with an array of elite talent in the men’s game.

Leading off with the top two players in the world rankings, Gustavo Kuerten and Andre Agassi, Team Europe would be up against it.

They weren’t short of talent in their own right, with the likes of Safin, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov all capable of strong results.

However, with the talented Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt waiting in the wings, you’d have to say the smart money would’ve been on Team World back in 2001.

1985 Laver Cup

Almost 40 years ago, the hypothetical 1985 Laver Cup would’ve been a highly entertaining one, as the best of Europe may have faced off against an all-American Team World.

The three Swedes, Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg, and Anders Jarryd, would join forces with Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, and Yannick Noah to take on the likes of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.

Captain of Team World in the modern day Laver Cup events, there’s no doubt that McEnroe would’ve been must see TV if he’d played at the tournament.

The Europeans would likely have been favorites in 1985, but the Americans could well have sprung an upset.

1980 Laver Cup

The 1980 Laver Cup would’ve been an interesting competition, that pitted a dominant Team World, against a Team Europe led by the best player on the planet.

Bjorn Borg would’ve had to carry his lower-ranked teammates to glory, against a stacked Team World, with six of the world’s top seven players.

The Europeans would’ve had to bring in players ranked outside of the top 20 to complete their team, a stark contrast to what we’ve seen in the modern-day competition.

You still never know what could’ve happened, as tennis often springs unlikely results, and creates unsuspecting heroes, so the likes of Corrado Barazzutti and Manuel Orantes may well have guided Team Europe to a legendary title.

We’ll never know what would’ve happened if the Laver Cup had existed prior to 2017, but fans will no doubt look forward to next year’s tournament, which begins on September 19.