Melbourne VIC, Australia, 22 July 2016 | tennis.com.au

The Laver Cup – set to debut in September 2017 – has drawn praise from some of the biggest names in men’s tennis.

As reported in the Herald Sun, world No.1 Novak Djokovic and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer are firmly behind the event, based on golf’s Ryder Cup model and featuring a European team facing off against a rest-of-the-world team.

“We need these kind of changes, innovations, in our sport,” Djokovic said.

“To have Rod Laver present, put his name there, stand behind those kind of events, be present for us to see him all the time on the tour, it’s truly amazing.”

Added Federer: “I think it’s important to leave a legacy for the legends, and Rod Laver to me stands out because of his achievements and his character and everything.”

Prague and Berlin are reportedly among the cities interested in hosting the inaugural edition of the event.