Captain McEnroe's team will bring spirit to Laver Cup

While most of the excitement for the weekend’s Laver Cup is centered on Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the heavily favored Team Europe, their opponents will still be a threat. Indeed, the very face of the Americanized World Team is captained by John McEnroe, who lives and breathes competitive fire.

The seven-time major winner was one of the most devoted Davis Cup players in tennis history, and he shaped his team with rugged competitors and an eye on developing team chemistry. It might partially explain why he chose American prospect Frances Tiafoe to sub in for an injured Juan Martin del Potro.

McEnroe noted in an interview with Vivienne Christie that he would be a presence for support for his players.

“You have to sort of feel it out. If I start yelling and screaming, and that makes the player that’s playing play worse then that’s a bad idea,” he said. “Obviously it’s mainly up to the player but hopefully as a coach (if I) can help maybe a little bit at the right moment then you feel like you did your job.”

His players—which include Sam Querrey, John Isner, Tiafoe, Jack Sock, Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov—understand his expectations, and they will play fiercely for their hard-nosed captain.

The event will feature several matchups of singles and doubles with much of the talk surrounding the likelihood of Federer and Nadal joining forces to play doubles. Team World's strongest doubles team is good pals Sock and Kyrgios.

The Laver Cup has been full of twists and turns (check out the all-black court). Who knows, perhaps McEnroe might pick up a wooden racket and issue a challenge to his rival captain Bjorn Borg. That might even steal the show.

Day 1 action begins on Friday, with Team Europe's Marin Cilic facing Tiafoe, followed by Dominic Thiem vs. John Isner. In the evening, Alexander Zverev will take on Team World's Denis Shapovalov. In doubles action, Team World's Jack Sock and Nick Kyrgios will battle against Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych.