Forces Unite! Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal to pair up for Laver Cup 2017

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will come together to play the men's doubles event for Europe against the Rest of the World in the inaugural edition of the Ryder Cup-style event, Laver Cup to be held in 2017.

While admitting that he was feeling great with the idea of not facing the big forehand, Federer said that it would be an unbelievable situation for him to be on the same side of the net as Nadal.

"It's going to be unbelievable to be on the same side of the net as Rafa finally. It's a great feeling not facing the big forehand," said 35-year-old Federer, who attended the launch despite injury ruling him out of the US Open which starts in New York on Monday.

Meanwhile, former Grand Slam heavyweight champions Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will captain the European and World teams respectively for the first three years of the tournament, which is named after Rod Laver, the last man to achieve the calendar Grand Slam in 1969.

According to the Sport24, the organisers of the tournament have also been trying hard to rope in the current top two players in the world - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray for the event.

According to the format of the Laver Cup, the tournament will be played every year except in an Olympic season and will feature four matches each day, including three in singles, one in doubles.

The inaugural edition of the tournament is slated to be held in Prague from 22 September - 24 September next year.

Europe would start as favourites based on current rankings -- at the moment there are only five non-Europeans in the world top 20.

The leading player outside of Europe is Canada's world number six and Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic, ranked at six and currently coached by McEnroe.

"Milos sees these all-time greats and trying to bridge that gap, trying to figure out a way that he can get closer to the (top) guys," said McEnroe.

--with inputs from ANI