Laver Cup 2025 Opens with Glamorous Gala and Lighthearted Player Introductions

San Francisco, CA – The Laver Cup kicked off its 2025 edition with an opening night gala, inviting around 800 attendees to enjoy a night of celebration before the competition begins. Major tennis champions including Rod Laver, Roger Federer, and Andy Roddick walked the black carpet prior to the event, alongside current players from the Laver Cup.

The gala took place at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Notable guests included tennis legends with a collective total of 40 major titles, not counting current player Carlos Alcaraz who is also part of Team Europe this year. The evening began with a welcome by host Melissa Stark, who introduced Team Europe captain Yannick Noah.

Noah entertained the crowd with a poem about his vice captain, Tim Henman. The light-hearted presentations continued as players exchanged humorous anecdotes about one another. For example, Holger Rune joked about Casper Ruud‘s “good looks” and presented a playful reference to Ruud’s impending fatherhood.

As the night progressed, Agassi, the captain of Team World, showcased his humor and paid tribute to the event’s namesake, Rod Laver. Jenson Brooksby humorously introduced Reilly Opelka, and there were more laughs when Alex Michelsen complimented Francisco Cerundolo‘s quiet demeanor.

Federer emphasized the importance of the gala for players to bond outside the competitive circuit. “I hope the players enjoy getting dressed up and they like having good pictures taken of themselves,” he said. Alcaraz shared similar sentiments, noting that spending time off the court allows players to learn about each other’s methods. “I am just getting to know the players off the court,” Alcaraz remarked.

The evening concluded with a tribute from Laver Cup chairman Tony Godsick and a musical performance, setting the stage for an exciting few days of tennis ahead.