Brandon Nakashima will make his Laver Cup debut for Team World after US Open runner-up Ben Shelton withdrew from the event, organisers confirmed on Thursday, September 17. The 2026 Laver Cup takes place at The O2 in London from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27.
No reason was given for Shelton’s withdrawal. The American, who lost to Alexander Zverev in last week’s US Open final, is scheduled to play Davis Cup for the United States in the Czech Republic starting on Friday, September 18. Nakashima, 25, is at a career-high No. 16 in the ATP rankings after a 13-4 record during the North American hard-court swing that included his first Masters 1000 final in Montreal and a semi-final in Cincinnati.
“I’m really excited to be making my Laver Cup debut in London. It’s an event I’ve always dreamed of playing, and I can’t wait to be part of Team World, competing alongside the guys and playing for Andre and Pat,” Nakashima said. He joins Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Bublik, Learner Tien and Francisco Cerúndolo on a Team World side captained by Andre Agassi, with Pat Rafter as vice-captain.
Team Europe, captained by Yannick Noah with Tim Henman as vice-captain, will field Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, Jakub Menšík and Rafael Jódar. Day sessions on Friday and Saturday start at 1pm BST with night sessions at 7pm BST; Sunday’s deciding session begins at 12pm BST.
