There's something about team tennis that seems to bring the best out of Alex de Minaur, which is why Australia's main man is happy to fly 16,500km from Brisbane to London to help Andre Agassi's Team World retain the Laver Cup.
Davis Cup strong man de Minaur won both his singles rubbers for Australia in last weekend's World Group I tie in Queensland to help sink Poland, and now he has his eyes set on maintaining his unbeaten singles record against Team Europe in the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena.
It means after his heroics at the Pat Rafter Arena, he's now linked up with Rafter himself, who's assistant to World captain Andre Agassi for tennis's rather more light-hearted answer to the Ryder Cup, in which Europe's finest tackle the best of the rest of the world.
"Hopefully I get a little bit of love and this team gets a little bit of love." ❤️ @alexdeminaur is calling on his second home to get behind Team World at Laver Cup London 2026. #LaverCup #TennisUnrivaled https://t.co/u5jCu4B0cN
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 24, 2026
This year's edition of the event established by Roger Federer to honour the greatest Australian in tennis, Rod Laver, features Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensík, Casper Ruud and Arthur Fery for the Yannick Noah-captained Europeans.
They'll be up against a US-driven Team World outfit featuring Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien and Brandon Nakashima, bolstered by de Minaur, Alexander Bublik, Francisco Cerundolo and Ignacio Buse.
De Minaur will be playing in his third edition, having won with John McEnroe's Team World in 2022 at the same O2 Arena, and with Agassi's victorious outfit in San Francisco last year.
"This is a big thing." Team World means business in London 😮💨 #LaverCup #TennisUnrivaled https://t.co/nCdISGHVWs
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 24, 2026
World assistant captain Pat Rafter's verdict on the Laver Cup.
He'll be looking to maintain a perfect singles record after beating Andy Murray in front of the British great's home fans four years ago and both Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik in last year's San Francisco triumph.
"I loved everything about San Fran," de Minaur said. "It was pretty cool to have Andre and Pat as captain and vice-captain.
"I got on there for a little bit of doubles, played some great singles matches. Being around the boys was great and being able to lift that massive trophy for Team World."
Andre Agassi is a big fan of de Minaur's never-say-die approach to team competition. "I watched de Minaur focus on every detail and not take one shot for granted," said the American. "I knew he would perform."
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The two Laver Cup teams pose for an iconic photo with the great Rod Laver himself.
On pure rankings, Europe look to have the advantage, boasting the three highest-ranked players - No.2 Zverev, No.3 Alcaraz and no.7 Cobolli, as well as six players in total ranked in the ATP's top 17.
De Minaur is actually the top-ranked Team World player at No.9, with their leading six all featuring in the top 22.
"It's going to be a battle, but I think that's where Team World, we thrive," said de Minaur. "We enjoy these team competitions, it brings out the best in us, and we've got a lot of firepower on our side. We'll definitely be up for it."
