Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to play doubles TODAY as Laver Cup fixtures announced
ROGER FEDERER and Novak Djokovic will pair up at the Laver Cup on Friday during the opening day’s play.
Federer and Djokovic have never before competed on the same side of the net but they will combine forces to try and help Team Europe defend their crown in Chicago.
During the inaugural 2017 event, Federer teamed up with Rafael Nadal to beat Jack Sock and Sam Querrey in the doubles.
This time around Team World have opted for Sock to play alongside Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson.
The duo will take on Federer and Djokovic in the final match of the day, which is expected to get underway around 2am (BST).
The day session gets underway at 7pm with Grigor Dimitrov vs Frances Tiafoe, before British No 1 Kyle Edmund takes on Sock.
David Goffin will then kick-off the night session (1am BST) against Diego Schwartzman before the eagerly anticipated doubles match wraps up the opening day.
And Federer is excited to finally turn Djokovic from foe to friend.
“When you can’t beat them you have to join them. I am very excited,” Federer said.
“To be quite honest, last year it was an odd feeling when you’re sitting on the bench because I am a tennis player and I want to play.
“But for the first time I looked towards the court and thought ‘Oh Dominic Thiem’s playing or Rafa’s playing and those guys are playing better than me right now’.
“And I’m sure I’ll feel the same when Novak’s out there. It’s cool watching my guy, my team member beat up the other guy. This time it is actually good for me.
“It is going to be great fun and I can’t wait for not just the matches but also spending time together.”
Laver Cup schedule
Friday September 21
Match 1 - Grigor Dimitrov vs Frances Tiafoe
Match 2 - Kyle Edmund vs Jack Sock
Match 3 - David Goffin vs Diego Schwartzman
Match 4 - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer vs Jack Sock and Kevin Anderson
Laver Cup: Federer and Djokovic join forces for team Europe
Saturday September 22 - players to be revealed Friday
Day session - 7pm (BST)
Singles matches 5 & 6
Night session - 1am (BST)
Singles match 7 & doubles match 8
Sunday September 23 - players to be revealed Saturday
Day session - 7pm (BST)
Singles matches 9, 10 & 11 & doubles match 12