Opinion: Why the Laver Cup lacks personal interest

Rod Laver (Google Images)

The Laver Cup, named after the Australian tennis icon Rod Laver, takes place this weekend in San Francisco. Once again we are seeing a Europe vs. World format. Let me explain why I am not a big supporter of the tournament.

The bottom line it has to do with my nationalistic pride and devotion to my native country of Canada. I am honoured to be the contributor of www.canadiansportscene.com and sports writer for the Canadian Encyclopedia. In the past I wrote the content for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary and was the editor for the Greatest Sporting Moments Virtual Museum where we had an in depth look at the Bobbie Rosenfeld and Lionel Conacher Award winners all-time (Canadian Press Male and Female Athlete of the Year).

In addition to being a Canadian sports writer, I am a patriotic Canadian sports fan. I cheer for Canadian athletes, and have seen Canadian athlete win their Olympic medal LIVE on television since 1998. It is my greatest personal achievement.

Part of being a Canadian sports fan, is not cheering for the United States. Canadians don’t have a strong disdain for our southern neighbours. We just don’t cheer for them regularly on the international stage. For example when the Ryder Cup takes place next week, Canadians will be cheering for Europe in higher numbers.

The Canadian-American rivalry is why the Laver Cup lacks personal interest. There are no Canadians on Team World this year, but if there was, it would be tough to support a team that included Canadians and Americans!