Alex de Minaur, Australia’s world No. 8 and one of the ATP Tour’s most dynamic players, has been confirmed as a late replacement for Frances Tiafoe on Team World for the 2025 Laver Cup, set for September 19-21 at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The announcement, made by the Laver Cup on September 12, 2025, bolsters Team World’s roster under new captain Andre Agassi, who faces a formidable Team Europe led by Yannick Noah. De Minaur’s inclusion, following withdrawals from Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul, adds firepower and experience as Team World aims for a third title against a stacked European lineup featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and others.
De Minaur Steps In Amid Team World Shake-Up
Frances Tiafoe, ranked No. 29 and known for his electrifying play and 2022 US Open semifinal run, withdrew from the Laver Cup for undisclosed reasons, joining Shelton and Paul, who cited injuries. The trio’s absence left Agassi scrambling, but de Minaur’s addition—convinced by vice-captain Pat Rafter after initially declining due to post-US Open travel plans—offers a significant lift. De Minaur, who debuted for Team World in 2022 and helped secure their first Laver Cup victory in London with a comeback win over Andy Murray, expressed enthusiasm: “It’s an honour to join Captain Agassi and Team World in San Francisco next week. My first Laver Cup was an incredible experience, and I will be ready to give it everything I’ve got to help the team lift the Laver Cup at Chase Center” (*Laver Cup*, *web:0*).
Agassi praised the move: “We will miss Frances’ energy and game in San Francisco. However, we couldn’t be more thrilled to add one of the best and most in-form players in the world to our team. I’ve admired the way Alex plays and competes from afar and now look forward to having a front row seat” (*Laver Cup*, *web:0*). De Minaur joins Taylor Fritz (world No. 5), Alex Michelsen, Reilly Opelka, Joao Fonseca, and Francisco Cerundolo, forming a competitive squad to challenge Team Europe’s Alcaraz, Zverev, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Jakub Mensik, and Flavio Cobolli.
De Minaur’s Form and Fit for the Laver Cup
De Minaur enters the Laver Cup in top form, boasting 41 wins in 2025, including an ATP 500 title in Washington and quarterfinal runs at all four Grand Slams, most recently at the US Open where he fell to Felix Auger-Aliassime. His speed, defensive tenacity, and counterpunching style—evidenced by his 1-0 Laver Cup record and a 2025 Australian Open win over Zverev—make him ideal for the event’s unique format, where points double on the final day. The Laver Cup, an ATP-sanctioned exhibition raising funds for the Rafa Nadal Academy and Roger Federer Foundation, combines singles and doubles matches, suiting de Minaur’s versatility.
His commitment, however, comes with a demanding schedule. De Minaur is currently leading Australia in their Davis Cup qualifier against Belgium in Sydney (September 13-14, 2025), where he suffered a shock loss to Raphael Collignon, leaving the tie at 2-0. A potential doubles match and reverse singles on Sunday could mean a trans-Pacific flight to San Francisco, spanning three continents in a week. Despite his US Open criticisms of the “insane” ATP schedule, de Minaur’s decision—prompted by Rafter’s persuasion—reflects his passion for team events.
Tennis Context and Fan Excitement
The Laver Cup, with tickets starting at $20 for practice day (September 18) and $150 for sessions, is a fan-favorite event blending competition and camaraderie (*Laver Cup*, *web:0*). De Minaur’s inclusion has sparked excitement, with X posts like, “De Minaur for Team World? Agassi’s got a fighter! Let’s go Demon! 🇦🇺” (@TennisFanatic22) and “Tiafoe out, but de Minaur’s in—Team World just leveled up!” (@TheTennisLetter). The move follows a dramatic Davis Cup tie, marred by controversy over “barbaric” cramping rules, and intersects with stories like Alcaraz’s romance with Brooks Nader and Coco Gauff’s New York adventures.
A Fighter for Team World
Alex de Minaur’s late call-up to replace Frances Tiafoe at the 2025 Laver Cup injects energy and grit into Team World’s campaign. Under Andre Agassi’s leadership, de Minaur’s proven team-event prowess and relentless style position him as a key player in the quest for the trophy. As Chase Center prepares for a star-studded showdown, de Minaur’s commitment signals his readiness to deliver, even amid a whirlwind schedule, ensuring Team World remains a formidable force.
