"You agreed" - Carlos Alcaraz & Alexander Zverev playfully urge Grigor Dimitrov to keep his 'promise' and get naked after Team Europe's Laver Cup win
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev playfully egged on Grigor Dimitrov to honor the wager made on his behalf that he would get naked if Team Europe won the 2024 Laver Cup. Dimitrov, however, protested against the bet, questioning whether he had agreed to such terms.
Despite entering Day 3 of the Laver with a 4-8 deficit, Team Europe staged an incredible comeback to dash Team World's hopes of clinching their third consecutive victory at the event. Alcaraz and Ruud kicked off the day's play with a 6-2, 7-6(6) win over Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in a riveting doubles encounter.
Although Daniil Medvedev suffered a narrow loss to Shelton in the second match, Zverev secured a crucial 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5 victory over Tiafoe to force a decider. Carlos Alcaraz then delivered a commanding performance in the must-win contest, beating Taylor Fritz 6-2, 7-5 to seal the win for Team Europe.
Team Europe's locker room erupted in celebration as the stars reveled in their win, with Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov dousing the Spaniard in champagne to acknowledge his heroics.
Dimitrov had arrived in Berlin for the Laver Cup after taking part in a blockbuster exhibition event with Novak Djokovic in Bulgaria, where the duo delighted the audience with a hilarious strip tease. During Team Europe's pre-tournament press conference, the Bulgarian was asked whether fans could expect a repeat performance in Berlin.
Zverev answered on the World No. 10's behalf, setting the wager that Dimitrov would get naked for the female fans and outgoing captain Bjorn Borg if Team Europe secured the win.
"We win, Grigor gets naked, just for the female fans. And for Bjorn," Zverev said.
During Team Europe's press conference after their triumph, a reporter brought up the wager, questioning whether Grigor Dimitrov would follow through. Carlos Alcaraz was amused by the reporter's question, joking that she was eager to see the Bulgarian keep his word.
"She wants to see it. She wants to see it. (Laughter)," Carlos Alcaraz said.
While both Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev had forgotten the details of the Bulgarian's "promise," the Spaniard was quick to remind them that Dimitrov was supposed to get naked.
"What was my promise again?" Dimitrov asked.
"I don't remember what it was exactly, but --," Zverev questioned.
"You say [get] naked or something like that," Alcaraz responded.
However, Dimitrov humorously refused to believe the claim and questioned what exactly he had committed to, while also revealing that he had already been naked in the locker room.
"I was just naked in the locker room. Did I say that, guys, really? Tell me exactly what I said," he said.
"No, Sascha said when the Team Europe wins, Grigor has to get naked," the reporter clarified.
Although the reporter clarified that the Bulgarian had protested against the bet, Zverev and Alcaraz insisted that he had agreed and playfully urged him to keep his word.
"And you agreed," Zverev said.
"She wants to see it. She remember," Carlos Alcaraz joked.
However, Grigor Dimitrov was eventually spared from fulfilling the wager, as the reporter moved on to a more serious question.
"I'm really, really happy" - Carlos Alcaraz delights in celebrating Laver Cup victory with Team Europe teammates
During the same press conference, Carlos Alcaraz expressed his happiness at winning the Laver Cup on his debut. The Spaniard also emphasized that celebrating the victory alongside his Team Europe teammates made the moment even more special.
"Well, I was really, really happy, honestly. I mean, obviously our goal was to win the Laver Cup. We did it. So yeah, as I said before the tournament that I think winning the Laver Cup, it is great. And once I did it, it was a pretty good feeling. I'm not gonna lie. Obviously, celebrating with them is even better feelings. So, well, personally I'm really, really happy," Carlos Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz will be joined by his fellow Team Europe stars, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Grigor Dimitrov, as they kick off their Asian swing at the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing, which commences on September 26.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas will join Team World stars Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, and Ben Shelton at the Japan Open in Tokyo, battling it out for the ATP 500 title.