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Line Calls presented by FanDuel Sportsbook: Laver Cup edition

Without the guidance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, this could be the time for Team World in front of a rowdy Boston crowd. 

By Cale Hammond
Line Calls presented by FanDuel Sportsbook3:13

After a one-year break due to Covid, the Laver Cup is back. This time it’s on home soil for Team World, at the TD Garden in Boston, likely in front of a very rowdy crowd. Boston sports fans are notoriously raucous, and even though the Bruins or Celtics aren't playing, expect a charged tennis atmosphere.

From a betting perspective, a small play on Team World at +275 is probably the only thing you should consider pre-match, unless you have stacks of cash burning a hole in your pocket—in which case, just drink the -400 juice on Team Europe and hope the much more talented team prevails.

Day 1 Schedule

  • Casper Ruud vs. Reilly Opelka
  • Matteo Berrettini vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime
  • Andrey Rublev vs. Diego Schwartzman
  • Alexander Zverev/Matteo Berrettini vs. John Isner/Denis Shapovalov
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Team World celebrate in the doubles match between Rafael Nadal, playing partner of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Team Europe and Jack Sock, playing partner of Nick Kyrgios of Team World during Day Two of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 21, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
© Getty Images for Laver Cup

This year’s Laver Cup marks the first time none of the Big Three will be playing. Imagine playing a match where two of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are personally invested in the outcome, and coaching you on every changeover. That’d be pretty damn cool, and it has no doubt helped players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev in the previous editions.

Due to the unique and equalizing nature of the scoring format**—match wins on Friday are worth one point, Saturday wins are two points, and Sunday wins are three points**—it’s probably worth betting whichever team is a big underdog before play begins on Sunday.

And don’t forget, if there is ever a time to bet on Boston Celtics fan Nick Kyrgios, it’s this weekend.

At the end of the day the Laver Cup is an exhibition, so bet small and have some fun watching some excellent tennis.