Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion and one of tennis’s most revered figures, has delivered a heartfelt and humorous message to Carlos Alcaraz and his Team Europe teammates ahead of the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco. In a social media post on September 19, 2025, Nadal wished the squad good luck while reminding them of a classic piece of advice he once shared with Stefanos Tsitsipas that left Roger Federer in stitches. The message, blending encouragement with Nadal’s signature wit, arrives as Alcaraz leads Team Europe against Andre Agassi’s Team World from September 19-21 at Chase Center, adding a touch of levity to what promises to be a fiercely contested event.
Nadal’s Message: “Any Finger, You Cross!”
Nadal’s Instagram post, shared on the morning of Day 1, read: “Good luck Team Europe 🔵! And don’t forget: ‘Any finger, you cross’! 😂😂 💪🏼 @LaverCup 💪🏼” Accompanied by a photo from a past Laver Cup, the reference harks back to the 2019 edition in Geneva, where Nadal, representing Team Europe, gave Tsitsipas a piece of superstitious advice during a lighthearted moment: “Any finger, you cross” (meaning to cross your fingers for luck). The quirky tip, delivered with Nadal’s deadpan delivery, had Federer, serving as Team Europe’s captain, bursting into laughter on camera—a moment that has become Laver Cup lore.
The message is more than a joke; it’s Nadal’s way of rallying the team, which includes Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, and Jakub Mensik under captain Yannick Noah. Nadal, who competed in the Laver Cup in 2017, 2019, and 2022, has a special bond with Alcaraz, having mentored him at his Mallorca academy. “Carlos and the boys—play with passion and enjoy it,” Nadal captioned a story, echoing his own career philosophy.
Fans on X loved the nod to history: “Nadal’s ‘Any finger, you cross’ reminder to Alcaraz? Classic Rafa—Team Europe, make him proud! 😂” (@TheTennisLetter). Another posted, “From Federer’s laugh in 2019 to Alcaraz leading in 2025—Laver Cup magic continues” (@TennisFanatic22).
The Laver Cup Context: Alcaraz Leads the Charge
The eighth edition of the Laver Cup pits Team Europe against Team World in a best-of-36 format, with points doubling on Day 3. Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and fresh off his US Open triumph over Jannik Sinner, opens with Jakub Mensik in doubles against Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen. A singles clash with Fritz, Team World’s No. 5 and a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, is likely, rekindling their 2024 Laver Cup thriller where Alcaraz won 6-3, 7-5 to clinch the title for Europe.
Team World, captained by Agassi in his debut, features Fritz, Alex de Minaur (replacing Frances Tiafoe), Francisco Cerundolo, Reilly Opelka, Joao Fonseca, and Alex Michelsen, with Patrick Rafter as vice-captain. Agassi, who playfully called Alcaraz “overrated” on Roddick’s podcast, is hyping his squad: “We’re ready to steal the show in San Francisco.” Tickets start at $20 for practice day (September 18), with full sessions from $150, raising funds for the Rafa Nadal Academy and Roger Federer Foundation.
Nadal, retired since November 2024 after the Paris Olympics, won’t play but his message carries weight. “Rafa’s reminder is gold—Team Europe, cross those fingers and fight!” Alcaraz replied on Instagram, sharing the post with a fist emoji.
A Legacy of Laughter and Luck
Nadal’s special message to Alcaraz and Team Europe blends humor and heart, invoking a Federer-laugh-inducing moment to rally the squad. As the Laver Cup unfolds, Nadal’s words remind players of the joy in competition—a nod to his own storied career. With Alcaraz at the helm, Team Europe is primed for success, and Nadal’s “Any finger, you cross” may just be the lucky charm they need.
