Laver Cup highlight: ‘Dream Team’ doubles with Federer and Djokovic in uncharted territory

The prospect of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic playing doubles together is why the Laver Cup is just the coolest tennis event of the year.

The marquee names Federer and Djokovic joining up in doubles was a surprise announcement for day one of the Laver Cup.

Most expected the famous doubles pairing to be announced for the final day, but Team Europe threw down the gauntlet with captain Bjorn Borg making the exciting revelation.

The 20-time slam champion seemed thrilled with the opportunity.

Federer and Djokovic are the top players at the tournament, ranked No.’s 2 and 3, but this doesn’t mean that it will be a walk in the park. Their opponents are Jack Sock—ranked No. 1 in doubles, and Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson—who is coming off a very successful year.

Fun fact, Anderson also recently played doubles with Djokovic himself and knows his doubles style.

https://twitter.com/tennisnewschan1/status/1028050062646149121

Jack Sock was asked about facing the two legends and his wisely cracked: “Who’s that?”

John McEnroe couldn’t help getting a dig in himself.

“The only surprise that Patrick and I saw was they’re throwing those nobodies out in doubles tomorrow night,” joked McEnroe, Team World captain, according to the Laver Cup.

“We have had so many great battles in all the singles courts, and to finally team up together I think is going to be very special for both of us,” said Federer.

“I think I will take the deuce side. If Novak is OK with that, I will be happy to play on the deuce side,” Federer said about their doubles tactics, at the Team Europe press conference, according to ESPN.

“I think I’m OK on the backhand,” Djokovic cheekily replied.

Although the prospect of Federer and Djokovic teaming up is thrilling, it will offer a very different take than the pairing up of Federer and Nadal.

“With Novak, it’s different because I know him well, but I don’t know him that well,” Federer said in an interview with The Chicago Tribune. “With him, I’m very excited to see how the week’s going to go because I don’t think both of us know really, really what we think of each other. I don’t know what kind of a team leader he will be on a team.

“With Rafa, I have done so many promotional events around tournaments. I’ve done foundation matches with him, and I know his family very well. So I feel like I’m much closer to Rafa. And, also [Andy] Murray, I did a foundation event with him and a lot of other top guys. Novak is one of the only guys I haven’t done it with. So that’s going to be interesting just to see the dynamics there.”

But still, it’s pretty exciting and part of the reason why the Laver Cup is such a thrilling even in tennis. Once the Federer-Djokovic doubles news hit, there were some funny tweets that went out.

Just like the creation of the ‘fedal’ hashtag for the Federer-Nadal rivalry, fans have been having a good time trying to come up with a moniker for the Federer-Djokovic. My personal favorite is Fedovic.

The two legends share 34 grand slams.

Both champions own six Australian Opens each so naturally the AO expressed their enthusiasm.

Sky Sports called them the dream team. Indeed.

Sports Illustrated said it’s going to be very special. Yes. Yes, it will.

They’re all smiles at the announcement.

The day’s full schedule at the Laver Cup:

The Laver Cup can be viewed on the Tennis Channel.