It has been quite the year away from the tennis court for Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur and Tommy Paul. All three stars have celebrated major milestones in their personal lives, with Casper becoming a father as well as tying the knot, while Alex and Tommy have also entered their newlywed eras.
Now, as some of the biggest names in men's tennis descend on London for the Laver Cup, the trio have spoken exclusively to HELLO! about how life has changed - and why the team competition offers a rare opportunity to enjoy being on the same side as some of their closest friends on tour.
For Casper, becoming a father has given him an entirely new source of motivation when he steps onto the court. "I would say it has changed my perspective mostly off court," he exclusively told HELLO!.
"When I play tennis and when I travel around, I try to make the most of the chances I get. I realise that I have a baby girl back home and if I don't give it my all when I'm playing in matches, I might as well go home and spend time with her instead."
© Laver CupThe Norwegian star - who married his longtime partner, Maria Galligani, in Mallorca back in June - added: "I try to push myself and give my all and I have one extra to play for now and it's great motivation for me."
But despite the packed Laver Cup schedule, 27-year-old Casper admitted there may be another benefit to spending a few days away with his fellow players.
Asked whether he, Alex and Tommy had been swapping wedding stories - and whether London might provide something of a newlyweds' getaway - he joked: "I guess maybe, it's a getaway to get some sleep."
© GettyHe added: "It's kind of a boys' week, and one of the few times we all link up and play together as a team."
Alex de Minaur on his special connection to London
For Alex de Minaur, London already holds particularly special memories after marrying fellow tennis star Katie Boulter in the UK earlier this summer. And while the Australian, also 27, will be representing Team World rather than the home side at the Laver Cup, he is hoping his ties to Britain might earn him some extra support from the crowd.
© Laver Cup"I don't know about that. I spend a little bit of time in London. London has treated me very, very well over the years," he said when asked whether he now feels like an adopted home favourite.
"I have always felt the love when I, when I'm in London, wherever I'm playing, but maybe at Laver Cup it's going to be a little bit different, you know? Maybe they'll be supporting the home team – Team Europe!"
Still, Alex is hoping his London connection will work in his favour. "We'll have to wait and see, but I hope I get a little bit of love," he added. "I'm hoping that's the case - I love playing there, it always brings the best out of me. I'll be fired up so hopefully the fans are as well."
Tommy Paul on newlywed life
Alex isn't the only Team World star returning to the tour as a newlywed, with Tommy Paul also marrying his longtime love Paige this summer.
Asked whether life feels any different now that he is a married man, the 29-year-old American joked: "So different! So different, you know? Everything's taken care of now, I've got nothing to worry about!"
© Laver CupTurning serious, he added: "No, seriously – it's been great so far, it’s been a great five weeks."
And while tennis is usually an individual pursuit, the Laver Cup gives Tommy the rare opportunity to have some of his closest friends supporting him from the sidelines rather than standing on the opposite side of the net.
"Everything," he says of what he is most looking forward to. "I'm looking forward to the dinners. I'm looking forward to the practises. I'm looking forward to competing.
© Getty"You always feel like you try a little extra hard when you have your buddies on the sideline, and you're playing for not just yourself, but them."
It is a sentiment Casper can relate to, even if he will be lining up on the opposite side of the net from Alex and Tommy this time around.
"I'll probably never experience playing with Tommy or Taylor or Alex for that sake on the team because they are Team World, but being with the boys from Team Europe is great," he said. "Even though we're competitors 51 weeks of the year, this week in Laver Cup, we are teammates and that's really nice."
Tommy Paul and Alex de Minaur will be playing for Team World, while Casper Ruud will be playing for Team Europe in the Laver Cup at London's O2 Arena from 25-27 September.
