Paul Out of Laver Cup; Cerúndolo Steps In for Team World

Paul ruled out with elbow injury after US Open

Tommy Paul has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 Laver Cup in London after suffering an elbow injury during his US Open campaign. Team World captain Andre Agassi moved swiftly to name Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo as his replacement for the event at The O2 Arena, which runs from September 25 to 27.

Paul, who was ranked inside the world's top 20 when the Team World lineup was announced in June, had been part of Agassi's six-man squad for months. His injury adds a fresh complication to an already demanding end of season — and it is the second consecutive year the American has been forced to pull out of the Laver Cup following a US Open campaign, a pattern that underlines the physical toll the New York fortnight can exact on players.

Cerúndolo brings proven Laver Cup experience

Cerúndolo, ranked 25th in the world, is no stranger to the competition. The Buenos Aires native has made four consecutive Laver Cup appearances and carries an overall 3-1 singles record at the event. Agassi's decision to call him up reflects both the trust the Team World camp places in the Argentine and the solidity of his 2026 season.

He joins Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Alexander Bublik and Learner Tien in a World squad that arrives in London as defending champions. Team World defeated Team Europe 15-9 in San Francisco last year, ending a run of European dominance in the competition. Retaining that title without Paul will require contributions from all six players on the roster.

Shelton, ranked No. 4 in the world, reaches London in excellent form after his run to the US Open final, where he pushed Alexander Zverev before going down 6-3 7-6 5-7 6-2. Fritz and de Minaur add experience and reliability, while Bublik and Tien bring unpredictability and pace. Cerúndolo completes a well-rounded group.

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Zverev leads a formidable Team Europe

Across the net, Team Europe will be anchored by Zverev, whose 2026 has been one of the finest seasons in recent men's tennis history. The German won both Roland-Garros and the US Open — a historic double that has cemented his place at the top of the sport. Captain Yannick Noah also fields Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Mensik and others, giving Europe a blend of established names and rising talent.

Cerúndolo's inclusion gives Team World tactical variety. He is an aggressive baseliner who has won titles on multiple surfaces in 2026. On London's indoor hard court, he will need to adapt quickly — but four previous Laver Cups mean he knows the format and its high-pressure dynamics inside out.

For Paul, the focus shifts entirely to recovery. The indoor season in Asia and Europe — Vienna, Paris — still lies ahead, and missing the Laver Cup means missing both ranking points and the team atmosphere that many players cite as a highlight of their year. His back-to-back Laver Cup absences due to US Open injuries will be a concern to manage heading into 2027. The O2 opens its doors for Laver Cup play on September 25.