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A22 SPORTS
Wednesday 21 March 2018
Federer hopes the Laver Cup will be a hit on U.S. soil

CHICAGO (AP) — The La- approved by a vote of the
ver Cup was a hit last year, membership.
and now Roger Federer is "It just takes so much out
hoping it proves popular on of the players to be avail-
U.S. soil. The 20-time Grand able four weekends during
Slam champion made his the year every single year,"
first-ever visit to Chicago Federer said. "I played a lot
on Monday to promote the of Davis Cup when I was
second Laver Cup, a team younger and happy I did.
competition that debuted I was happy it existed, but
last year in Prague. eventually it was just too
Federer, shaking off a much." Federer added: "I
three-set loss to Juan Mar- do believe that the Laver
tin del Potro on Sunday in Cup has sparked some
the final at Indian Wells that change, some inspiration
ended his 17-match win- to other cups that maybe
ning streak, was joined by we'll see in tennis. But that's
tennis legends Rod Laver a good thing. We'll take
and John McEnroe, along that as a sign of flattery."
with young Australian star McEnroe, once a staple for
Nick Kyrgios. Federer's the U.S. Davis Cup team,
management team was said changes in that com-
instrumental in launching petition are overdue and
the Laver Cup, which pits certainly the success of the
Team Europe against Team Laver Cup has not gone
World. After its third year, Roger Federer, second from right, responds to a question while promoting the Laver Cup tennis unnoticed.
tournament with from left, John McEnroe, Rod Laver and Nick Kyrgios Monday, March 19, 2018,
he said he'll entertain possi- in Chicago. "For me, I say, 'When's the
ble changes to the format. Associated Press last time anyone's asked
"Down the road I'm totally me about how many Da-
open to anything," Federer The other two are captain's gles match to Federer in competition between na- vis Cup teams I was part of
said. "I've heard already picks, and captain McEn- Prague last season, which tions, is still debatable. But winning?'" McEnroe said.
from women players. They roe didn't wait Monday — clinched the cup for Team there is a proposal from the The 2018 Laver Cup will be
would love to do it as well." he announced the talent- Europe. International Tennis Federa- played Sept. 21-23 at Unit-
Four of the six players on ed Kyrgios was already on What impact the Laver Cup tion to play the top level of ed Center before return-
each team are chosen on the World Team. has on the future of Da- Davis Cup in a single-week, ing to Europe the following
rankings after Wimbledon. Kyrgios lost a tight final sin- vis Cup, the long-standing 18-nation format. It must be year.q

MCLLROY That's why he wasn't the then he lost in a playoff in
Continued from Page 18 least bit concerned after Switzerland, lost in another
He birdied five of the last missing the cut at the Val- playoff in Hong Kong and
six holes, capping it off spar Championship. won his first pro event early
with a 25-foot putt on the "It's such a fine line out here, in the next year.
18th hole to win the Arnold and I might have sounded "And I was off and running,"
Palmer Invitational. crazy the last few weeks he said.
That ended his longest when I was telling everyone McIlroy reached No. 50 with
drought without a victory in it actually feels pretty close that playoff loss in Hong
eight years, and it cast him and I'm not that far away, Kong, and he hasn't fallen
in a new light with the Mas- and I'm putting up 72s and out since then. He's had a
ters approaching. 73s," he said. "And all of few dips, sure, "but it's not
McIlroy had fallen to No. a sudden, it all clicks into as if I've had to panic."
13 in the world when he place and I end up winning Palmer and McIlroy share
missed the cut the previous a golf tournament by three one other connection, at
week at the Valspar Cham- shots and shooting 8 under least for now. They are one
pionship, his second missed Rory McIlroy celebrates after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th on the last day. So it's fine leg short of the Grand Slam.
green to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club &
cut in four PGA Tour events Lodge in Orlando on Sunday, March 18, 2018. lines out here. I think you Palmer never won the PGA
this year. He had not been Associated Press have to play the game to Championship. McIlroy
that low in the ranking since really appreciate that. It's needs the Masters. When
April 25, 2010. feel like I had a chance. I coming out of it strong not as black and white as they had dinner at Bay Hill
It's not that he was forgot- just wanted to see signs of without notice. Most mem- some people make it out to in 2015 — right before McIl-
ten; rather, attention was good golf. And thankfully, orable was in 2012 when he be." He could think of only roy's first crack at the fourth
shifting to so many oth- I've been able to get both." missed the cut four times one time he was genuinely leg of the slam — the topic
ers that it was easy to feel Just don't get the idea his in five tournaments. Two worried about his game. never came up.
overlooked. All it took was confidence was lagging. months later, he won the McIlroy was 19 and in his "It's amazing to think, all that
one victory for the conver- McIlroy always says that PGA Championship and first full year as a pro in 2008. Arnold did in the game,
sation to include his bid for when he's playing well, it's consecutive FedEx Cup He had only two top 10s he never won that Grand
a green jacket to complete hard to remember ever playoff events. all year on the European Slam," McIlroy said.
the career Grand Slam. playing poorly. And when Three times in his career, Tour. He wasn't eligible for McIlroy at the Masters, Phil
"It's huge for my confi- he's playing poorly, it's hard McIlroy has won in his next any of the majors. He had Mickelson at the U.S. Open
dence going into the next to remember what it was start after missing the cut. missed three straight cuts in and Jordan Spieth at the
few weeks," McIlroy said. "I like to play well. But he has Five other times, he won Sweden, Holland and Scot- PGA Championship each
kept saying I didn't need a a history of going through after finishing out of the top land. He was concerned have a chance at the ca-
win going into Augusta to spurts of mediocrity, and 30. he might lose his card. And reer slam this year.q