Get ready for a thrilling start to the tennis season as the United Cup, a mixed-team tournament featuring some of the world’s best players, gears up for its third edition.
The draw for the tournament, which will be held in Sydney and Perth from December 27th to January 5th, has been revealed, and the excitement is palpable.
Top seed the United States will face their neighbours Canada in the group stage, with the highly anticipated debut of Coco Gauff adding an extra layer of intrigue. The US team will also be joined by Taylor Fritz, Denis Kudla, Robert Galloway, Desirae Krawczyk, and Danielle Collins, who has recently reversed her decision to retire at the end of 2024. They will be competing in Group A, held in Perth, against an as-yet-undecided nation, which will be determined based on rankings as of November 19th.
Interestingly, Novak Djokovic, a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world, has opted out of the tournament, opting instead to focus on his preparations for the Australian Open.
The reigning champions, Germany, led by world number three Alexander Zverev, will go head-to-head with China, featuring Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, and Brazil in Group E, also held in Perth. Zverev is likely to be the highest ranked man in the tournament, given the absence of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Adding to the tournament’s dynamic, Russia, led by world number five Daniil Medvedev, is barred from participating due to sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. Belarus, also under similar sanctions, will be missing Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian and US Open champion.
However, the tournament will see the presence of a formidable Polish team led by the world number one Iga Swiatek. This team, featuring Hubert Hurkacz, is poised to make a strong run in Group B, which will be held in Sydney, alongside the Czech Republic and Norway.
The anticipation is high, and the tournament director, Stephen Farrow, has expressed his excitement: “I think this year’s entry list is probably the strongest overall that we’ve seen in the three years of the competition. We’ve got six of the seven of the top 10 players in the world on the women’s side, six of the top 12 on the men’s side. And it is going to be an absolutely brilliant competition.”
Hosting the tournament in Sydney, Australia, Alex de Minaur will lead the Australian team in Group F, facing Britain and an as-yet-undecided nation. The tournament promises to be a spectacle of skill, strategy, and athleticism, with the final taking place in Sydney on January 5th.
Don’t miss out on this exciting event as the world’s best tennis players battle it out on the court. Get ready for a truly unforgettable United Cup experience!