How Rafael Nadal responded to critics calling the Laver Cup an ‘exhibition event’

A sport steeped in tradition, tennis has long been criticised for its lack of innovation, but an attempt to change that narrative was made in 2017.

The Laver Cup had its inaugural edition that year, offering fans the tennis equivalent of the famous biennial Ryder Cup golf tournament.

Co-created by Roger Federer , the event pits six players from Europe and six players from the rest of the world against each other in a series of singles and doubles matches across three days.

With the ninth Laver Cup set to get underway next week, the event is slowly building its reputation and credibility by continuing to attract the world's very best players each and every year.

But regardless of how much effort is put into boosting the status of the Laver Cup, many fans will refuse to consider it anything more than an exhibition event.