For the first time, San Francisco is hosting the Laver Cup, transforming the Chase Center’s hardwood into a hardcourt. The international tennis tournament founded by tennis great Roger Federer saw many tennis stars descend on San Francisco this week, with even the U.S. Open winner, No. 1-ranked tennis pro Carlos Alcaraz, visiting Alcatraz. The three-day tennis tournament, running from September 19-21, marks the first time the tournament has been staged on the West Coast.

Sometimes referred to as the Ryder Cup of tennis, the event highlights team rather than individual performance. The Laver Cup features six of the top men’s tennis players from Europe, including fan favorite Alcaraz, playing against six top players from the rest of the world, including American Taylor Fritz, with many of the players for both teams arriving fresh off their U.S. Open showings, bringing their NY momentum West. With tennis legends Andre Agassi, coaching Team World, and Yannick Noah, coaching Team Europe, the event is sold out.

Thrive City, the 11 complex surrounding the Chase Center, has been converted into the Laver Cup Fan Zone, and businesses around Thrive City are seeing a boost. And to celebrate the event’s arrival, Mayor Lurie, Federer, and Golden State Group COO Brandon Schneider celebrated the event by refurbishing six public concrete tennis courts in San Francisco. With excitement about the event in the air, fans certainly hope this is the start of more elite tennis returning to the Bay Area.