Team Europe retains Laver Cup, which proves its worth in Chicago

WATCH—Team Europe awarded the Laver Cup:

CHICAGO—Team Europe retained the Laver Cup that it won in Prague 12 months ago after a day of riveting and frequently brilliant tennis at the United Center, fighting off a spirited challenge from Team World to win 13-8 and taking the last six points of an exhibition event in name only.

There had been apprehension—admitted by the man who started it all, Roger Federer—that the second edition in Chicago might not be able to emulate the success of the Laver Cup concept that had emerged with such unexpected impact in Prague. No worries on that score. With 93,000 spectators pouring into the vast arena over three days it was, if anything, even better.

Federer played a leading role in the drama that unfolded. Sunday’s play began with a doubles match in which he and Alexander Zverev lost to Jack Sock and John Isner, 11-9 in the match tiebreak after missing two match points. With Sunday’s matches counting for three points each, it took Team World to an 8-7 lead —not a bad effort considering they had once trailed 7-1.

MATCH POINT: Sock and Isner beat Federer and Zverev

Isner came so close to extending that advantage when he held match points in a second-set tiebreak against Federer. On the first match point, Hawk-Eye was needed to confirm that Federer serve was good (cue for more crowd hysterics). Then, Federer swept a glorious backhand pass for a clean winner as the big American dived in vain at the net.

After going on to win the 10-point match breaker, Federer joked with Samantha Smith when she interviewed him on court: “I’m not sure I wanted it to be that exciting!”

WATCH: Federer saves two match points against Isner

Finally, after nearly seven hours of tennis, Zverev removed the need for Novak Djokovic to play Nick Kyrgios in a decider by reaching the 13-point winning post in a high-quality duel against Kevin Anderson. The German won it, 6-7, 7-5, 10-7, to give the nominal away side the Laver Cup, with the trophy's namesake in attendance.

There was excitement at every turn with a capacity crowd embellishing every great rally or astonishing shot with roars of approval, no matter who won the point. It was clear Chicago tennis fans had been thirsting for this kind of high-class action. In the Chicago Tribune, columnist Teddy Greenstein confirmed it by writing, “After getting a taste, we want more.”

It is unlikely that the Laver Cup will return to Chicago in the near feature because, as Federer pointed out, the world is a big place, and other cities want to host the event. Geneva, Switzerland will be next year’s venue and if the success of Prague and Chicago can be repeated, the bidding will become ever more intense.

Much of what we had seen acted as a confirmation of what had emerged in Prague. Federer’s original idea of honoring the game’s history and its great heroes—primarily his idol, Laver—has obviously created something different, something John McEnroe feels, should be recognized as good for the game.

“No matter what is happening with other team competitions, I feel the Laver Cup should stand as something special and worth fighting for," McEnroe said. "With the reaction of the fans and the players we have witnessed in the first two years, how can it be anything but good for tennis?”

WATCH: Zverev sets off European celebration by winning the Laver Cup

Djokovic, who did not play last year in Prague, was happily surprised and obviously enjoyed bonding with his teammates, especially his great rival, Federer.

“For me it was a tennis dream come true,” he said. “Being able to get to know these guys as people instead of just competitors was really pleasing.”

The fun that was created by a true sense of camaraderie in both teams was obvious, and all the players spoke of how much they had enjoyed supporting each other and the energy that the team concept had created.

“I was brought up as a team player across a variety of sports, so I love it,” said Jack Sock. “I wish the tour could be like this every week.”

When anything new emerges there is always a small group of doubters and nay-sayers, and social media reflected that during the week end. Some complained about the Laver Cup “not meaning anything.” One commenter asked what Wimbledon meant in 1877 or the Davis Cup in 1900. Everything has to start somewhere and this competition is just two years old.

Doubts were also cast on Laver Cup's viability once Federer retires. But he is not planning to disappear any time soon and, knowing his commitment to his creation, I would expect him to take it in easy stages, firstly, perhaps, playing only doubles, and then moving into the captain’s chair. By then a new generation will be establishing itself because, despite the pessimists who seem unable to foresee the future, tennis always renews itself with new exciting personalities. There is no reason why it should be any different this time.