The city of Chicago in the United States has been confirmed as the host of the second edition of the Laver Cup tennis event in 2018.
The tournament took place for the first time at the weekend in the Czech capital of Prague, where Team Europe, featuring Swiss star Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, claimed a 15-9 victory over a Team World side.
In September 2016, organisers of the Laver Cup confirmed that the second contest would take place in the US, and upon conclusion of this year’s edition yesterday (Sunday), Chicago’s United Center was announced as the destination for the 2018 event from September 21-23.
Organisers also revealed that they had held discussions with a number of other cities in the US that were interested in staging the three-day event before opting for Chicago, which has not held a major tennis event for more than 25 years.
Katrina Adams, president and chief executive of the United States Tennis Association, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled coming off an incredibly successful inaugural Laver Cup to be hosting this event in the United States next year.
“It’s personally thrilling for the Laver Cup to be coming to my home town of Chicago. To be associated with the legacy of the United Center and working with their team will allow us to showcase this event and attract more players to our sport for a lifetime.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel added: “The Laver Cup will draw tennis fans from throughout the world to Chicago for a competition like no other. But this competition will do more than bring world-class tennis back to Chicago – it will inspire the next generation of tennis champions in neighbourhoods across the city and beyond.”
The 23,500-seat United Center is the home of NBA basketball franchise the Chicago Bulls and NHL ice hockey team the Chicago Blackhawks.
