Shelton Out of Laver Cup; Nakashima Completes Team World Lineup

Just one week before the 2026 Laver Cup gets underway in London, Team World has suffered a second personnel setback. US Open finalist Ben Shelton has withdrawn from the event at The O2 Arena, with Brandon Nakashima confirmed as his replacement by the ATP Tour. The news follows the earlier withdrawal of Tommy Paul due to injury, which had brought in Francisco Cerúndolo as a replacement.

Shelton Steps Aside After US Open Run

Shelton reached the men's singles final at Flushing Meadows this month, falling to Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-7(2), 7-5, 2-6 in a four-set contest. The American had been named in the Team World squad despite that energy-draining run, with Davis Cup commitments in Prague also on his schedule this week. His withdrawal from the Laver Cup was confirmed on 17 September; no injury was cited in the official announcement.

Nakashima steps into the vacancy as a hard-court specialist with solid credentials on the ATP Tour in 2026. The Californian brings a different style to the team compared to the power-serving Shelton and gives captain Andre Agassi an additional baseline option across the three days at The O2. His selection completes a Team World roster that has been reshaped twice in the fortnight since the original lineup was announced.

The Full Squads for London

Team World — Captain: Andre Agassi, Vice-Captain: Patrick Rafter: Taylor Fritz (USA), Alex de Minaur (Australia), Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan), Learner Tien (USA), Francisco Cerúndolo (Argentina), Brandon Nakashima (USA).

Team Europe — Captain: Yannick Noah, Vice-Captain: Tim Henman: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain), Alexander Zverev (Germany), Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic), Flavio Cobolli (Italy), Rafael Jódar (Spain), Casper Ruud (Norway). Team Europe's roster remains unchanged from its original announcement.

Alcaraz takes Vienna wildcard after Six Kings Slam is postponed

The Event: London, 25–27 September

The Laver Cup takes place at The O2 Arena in London from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September 2026. Matches run across five sessions over three days, with each match win worth one point on day one, two on day two and three on day three. The first team to reach 13 points wins the trophy. Team Europe won the 2025 edition; Team World arrives in London looking to reclaim the silverware.

Zverev comes to London as the reigning US Open champion — a title won just twelve days before the Laver Cup begins — which makes his presence the centrepiece of Team Europe's campaign. The German also won Roland-Garros earlier in 2026, arriving in London as arguably the form player in men's tennis. For Nakashima, the O2 represents the highest-profile stage of his Laver Cup career and a genuine opportunity to contribute scoring points in a format that rewards both individual quality and team cohesion. With Fritz and De Minaur as the experienced core, and Tien providing a wildcard element, Team World's adjusted lineup retains genuine winning potential despite the two late changes to its roster.

Corrected on 4 October 2026: result amended.