Laver Cup Bringing Elite Tennis to United Center in Chicago | Sports Destination Management

Laver Cup Bringing Elite Tennis to United Center in Chicago

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Aug 31, 2018

The city of Chicago hosts the second edition of the Laver Cup at the United Center, September 21-23, 2018. The competition brings together the world’s elite tennis players to battle for national pride by pitting Europe against the World in a unique format that unites on-court rivals as teammates.
 
“The Laver Cup will draw tennis fans from throughout the world to Chicago for a competition like no other,” Mayor Emanuel said. “But this competition will do more than bring world-class tennis back to Chicago – it will inspire the next generation of tennis champions in neighborhoods across the city and beyond.” 
 
The inaugural Laver Cup concludes today in Prague. While Team Europe has enjoyed the support of their home fans this year, Team World has home court in September, 2018 and is headed to the United Center.
 
Chicago has not hosted a major tennis event in more than 25 years. One of the last matches to be played in the city was a final between John and Patrick McEnroe, the current captain and vice-captain of Team World. 
  
"On behalf of our partners Tennis Australia, USTA, and Jorge Paulo Lemann, it's my honor to announce that we are bringing this special event to the great sports city of Chicago and the amazing tennis fans of the American midwest," said Laver Cup founder Tony Godsick, President and CEO of Team8 Global. "We had discussions with a number of U.S. cities eager to hold the second Laver Cup, but in the end, Chicago was the clear choice.”
 
“We couldn’t be more thrilled coming off an incredibly successful inaugural Laver Cup to be hosting this event in the United States next year,” said President and CEO of the United States Tennis Association and Laver Cup partner Katrina Adams. “It's personally thrilling for the Laver Cup to be coming to my home town of Chicago. To be associated with the legacy of the United Center and working with their team will allow us to showcase this event and attract more players to our sport for a lifetime. We know the energy of Chicago sports fans and because of that we know that this will be a great success and a great opportunity to continue to grow tennis.”
 
“We are honored and proud that the United Center campus will host the tennis world for this great international event,” said Rocky Wirtz, Chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks.
 
"The United Center campus has been the home of some of the greatest sporting events, and we look forward to welcoming the Laver Cup here next year," said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President & COO.

"Chicago is humbled to be selected as the first U.S. City to host the Laver Cup --and we are eager to welcome Team Europe, Team World and their fans from around the globe to Chicago and the United Center next September," said Kara Bachman, Executive Director, Chicago Sports Commission.

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