Laver Cup: Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton caught scheming to put off Carlos Alcaraz in quip about Roger Federer

Updated 22/09/2024 at 11:07 GMT

Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton did their best to disrupt Carlos Alcaraz's Laver Cup singles debut on Saturday, as the pair of Team World stars were caught planning a light-hearted joke. Amazingly, the comment from Shelton seemed to work as Alcaraz missed his next serve. But despite Tiafoe's prediction coming to fruition, Alcaraz was not to be denied in the match as the Spaniard won 6-4 6-4.

‘Make him laugh’ – Tiafoe tells Shelton how to make Alcaraz ‘miss the first serve’

Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton were caught scheming courtside, as the Americans succeeded in briefly disrupting Carlos Alcaraz's dominant Laver Cup win.

The Spaniard secured a 6-4 6-4 win to level the competition at 4-4 between Team Europe and Team World, but not before letting a cheeky comment from Shelton put him off his stride.

During a break, Tiafoe, who had earlier got the better of Daniil Medvedev for the first time in his career, suggested making a reference to Laver Cup founder Roger Federer.

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"100% when you cross the net, make him [Alcaraz] laugh and be like, 'You're playing like Fed [Roger Federer]'. But say it slow so that he understands it," said Tiafoe to Shelton.

"I promise you he'll miss the first serve."

"I'm going to say, 'Roger would be proud'," replied Shelton.

"Yeah, say, 'Roger would be proud of you'," agreed Tiafoe.

Highlights: Alcaraz turns on the style to beat Shelton and draw Team Europe level

Amazingly, the plan seemed to work, as Alcaraz went on to find the net with his next serve.

But the four-time Grand Slam champion would have the final laugh, as a break in each set was enough to secure the victory, but not before both players gave the Berlin crowd more than a couple of memorable moments.

An inch-perfect drifted backhand from Alcaraz was the first in a series of scarcely believable shots, as each player took it in turn to draw cheers from the stands.

Shelton added a hotdog and no-look backhand to his highlights reel, while Alcaraz stunned the Eurosport commentary team with an audaciously angled volley drop shot.

Noah 'shocked' by 'fun' plotting

Incoming Team Europe captain Yannick Noah was "shocked" by the "fun" interaction between the duo, seemingly worried that he would have to watch his words next year.

With Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg departing, having held the post of Team Europe captain for the past seven editions, Noah was excited fans could get an insight into the Laver Cup's personalities.

The 64-year-old did not believe that Tiafoe, Shelton and departing Team World captain John McEnroe knew they were being recorded, but thought that the insight gained was a positive for the sport.

"I'm shocked," smiled Noah. "That worries me a lot because I'm talking so much, whatever. But I don't want it to be on TV. It's going to be quite embarrassing.

"But no, it's okay. I mean that was very fun; that was great. Frances [Tiafoe] is so into it and Johnny [McEnroe] is so good."

‘Felt like I was Roger Federer’, Tiafoe jokes after beating Medvedev for first time

Noah added: "It's good because I don't believe that they knew they were recorded. I don't think they knew. But It's really good to get a little bit of insight here.

"People, they see so much great tennis. But of course, they need to meet the people and the players, which is something sometimes we feel we miss: knowing the guys."

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