Alex Michelsen, Reilly Opelka replace injured Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul at Laver Cup

Alex Michelsen and Reilly Opelka will look to help Team World regain the Laver Cup later this month, in place of countrymen Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul .

The No. 6 and No. 14-ranked Americans were both forced to withdraw from the team competition with injuries that have also ruled them out of their nation’s Davis Cup second-round qualifier against Czechia next week in Delray Beach, Fla.

Michelsen is one of four newcomers set to debut at this year’s event in San Francisco, alongside teammate Joao Fonseca. The 21-year-old, a native of Aliso Viejo, Calif., broke the Top 30 for the first time in July in a season that has seen him advance to the round of 16 at the Australian Open, with a pair of Top 20 wins and a quarterfinal showing in Toronto.

Opelka seeks his first Laver Cup win four years after suiting up for the first time in Boston. The 6'11" Michigan native has produced a terrific comeback season after being sidelined for nearly two years with wrist and hip injuries. He returned in July 2024, and began 2025 ranked No. 293. Since then, Opelka has climbed back inside the Top 70 on the back of 23 tour-level wins.

Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup in thrilling fashion last year in Berlin to end its rival’s bid to complete a three-peat, sending captain Bjorn Borg off on a high note. Yannick Noah was named as Borg's successor, with Andre Agassi taking over for John McEnroe.

Five-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 3 Alexander Zverev headline Team Europe’s lineup. This year’s edition, the eighth in Laver Cup history, will be held at the Chase Center from September 19-21.

🚨 Stream the Laver Cup live on TennisChannel.com