Day One matches were entertaining and tense, but so too was the support players received from their teammates on the bench.
Match 1: Cilic def. Tiafoe 7-6(3), 7-6(1)
Match 2: Thiem def. Isner 6-7(15-17), 7-6(2), 1-0(10-7)
Match 3: A. Zverev vs Shapovalov 7-6(3), 7-6(5)
Here are some photos of Rafa.
Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe wait to enter the arena on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Marin Cilic, Tomas Berdych, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe wait to enter the arena on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Team Europe waits to enter the arena on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Team Europe enters the arena on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Team Europe enters the arena on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Team Europe is introduced to the crowd on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Team Europe is introduced to the crowd on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer of Team Europe react as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal, Thomas Enqvist and Fernando Verdasco of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Thomas Enqvist and Fernando Verdasco of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Dominic Thiem of Team Europe celebrates after winning his singles match against John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Thomas Enqvist of Team Europe discuss tactics on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Team Europe sit on the players bench on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Team Europe sit on the players bench on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Team Europe are introduced to the crowd on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Thomas Enqvist and Fernando Verdasco of Team Europe looks on as Dominic Thiem of Team Europe plays his singles match against John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Thomas Enqvist and Fernando Verdasco of Team Europe looks on as Dominic Thiem of Team Europe plays his singles match against John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer of Team Europe watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer of Team Europe react as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Dominic Thiem of Team Europe talks with Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg, Captain of Team Europe during his singles match against John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Dominic Thiem of Team Europe talks with Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg, Captain of Team Europe during his singles match against John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer and Thomas Enqvist of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and Thomas Enqvist of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych, Alexander Zverev and Roger Federer of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and Thomas Enqvist of Team Europe celebrate as they watch the singles match between Dominic Thiem of Team Europe and John Isner of Team World on the first day of the Laver Cup on September 22, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic. The Laver Cup consists of six European players competing against their counterparts from the rest of the World. Europe will be captained by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the Rest of the World team. The event runs from 22-24 September. (Sept. 21, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Boys in blue! Cool!!!
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Rafa did his best in doubles, but sadly Tomas is not as skilled as Sock/Kyrgios. It was still an entertaining match and they kept it close p. I found the matches today to be very well played. I just loved ❤️ the black court. It was so much easier to see the balls. The Laver Cup has been first class so far. I can’t wait until tomorrow n
RF and Borg must both be delighted. From a trump card for winning a tournament they made Rafa a victim by making him play doubles against one of the best tennis couples RF exposing once more his hidden agenda of demolishing Rafa during the Laver cup. Stupid Borg who wasted.
Rafa.
WAMOS RAFA YOU ARE THE BEST/
Hi puma – im in prague after watching the laver cup tennis all day. Borg knows what he’s doing. On sunday if its a draw – a doubles match of any combination will decide it. So he will put his best players on then no doubt. He also wants to keep his best players fresh for singles on saturday and sunday as all matches score 2 points on sat and 3 points on sunday. Only one point per match today. Im sure we’ll get to see that combo sometime. Lets hope anyway. Great stuff on court today. Really enjoyed it and well done nick k – out of everyone on both teams he was there supporting better than anyone else. He looked like he was really enjoying the whole day. Will try and check in tomorrow
Hi Susie,
Much as I did once like Borg, I disaree with Borg knowing what he’s doing yesterday. If he did he would not pick Berdych as captain’s pick and would certainly not make him play doubles with Rafa against one of the best doubles teams, thereby wasting Rafa as he tried to keep the match going all by himself. If you are watching the tournament in Prague, were you not shocked by Berdych’s game or lack thereof? I kept saying poor Rafa and frankly felt more than anything else sorry for him. In addition, I think Borg had to precipitate a Nadal/Federer matchup whereas all logic would say that they should play on the last day. As I prefer the European team, I just hope that regardless of captain, they will win.
Hi puma – there will only be one set played of a doubles match as a decider on sunday only if there is a 12 – 12 tie in the score. If not then there will be a doubles exhibition match. So it would have been a waste to save the best doubles team till then i think.
Well done to team Europe, A great first day.
Vamos Rafa <3
And why not play him with Roger first?
Why is Rafa not wearing team color?
I rather see Rafa alittle bold that with that 1930 hair do….