Brandon Nakashima Replaces Ben Shelton on Team World for Laver Cup

A SECOND LATE CHANGE FOR TEAM WORLD

Team World has lost a second player to injury withdrawal ahead of this year's Laver Cup. Ben Shelton has pulled out of the event, and Brandon Nakashima will take his place, making his Laver Cup debut in London. The change comes just days after Francisco Cerundolo was added to replace an injured Tommy Paul, meaning captain Andre Agassi has now had to rework two of his six roster spots in the final weeks before the tie.

NAKASHIMA'S BREAKOUT SEASON

The 25-year-old American arrives off the back of his best season on tour. Nakashima broke into the world's top 20 for the first time in 2026, reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Montreal in August, and followed it with a semifinal run at the Cincinnati Masters the next week. Those results form the basis of his Laver Cup selection, joining Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Bublik, Learner Tien and Cerundolo on Team World.

"I'm really excited to be making my Laver Cup debut in London," Nakashima said. "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. Looking forward to getting to The O2 and doing everything I can to help the team."

WHAT'S NEXT

With both rosters now set, Nakashima and Cerundolo will look to prove their late additions were worth it when Team World defends its title against Team Europe, led by Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, at The O2 from September 25-27.