Post by : Meena Ariff

The United States is set to defend its United Cup championship as third-ranked Coco Gauff and sixth-ranked Taylor Fritz team up once again to represent the nation in the unique combined ATP and WTA event. The 2026 United Cup kicks off on January 2 in Perth and Sydney, Australia, marking the first major team competition of the tennis season.

This one-of-a-kind tournament features 18 teams, each consisting of one ATP and one WTA player, competing across six groups of three in a round-robin format. The winners of each group, along with the best second-place team, will advance to the quarterfinals, with the semifinals and finals scheduled for January 10 and 11 in Sydney. All matches are played on hard courts, providing top players a competitive warm-up ahead of the Australian Open starting January 18 in Melbourne.

The United States enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having secured the title in 2025 by defeating Poland 2-0 in the final. This victory followed their inaugural triumph in 2023 when they swept Italy 4-0 under a different format. Last year’s championship saw Germany clinch the title, edging out Poland 2-1.

Poland returns as a formidable contender, led by No. 2 ranked Iga Swiatek and former top-10 ATP player Hubert Hurkacz, currently ranked No. 73. The U.S. team, anchored by Gauff and Fritz, will face tough competition in Group A, taking on Argentina on January 3 and Spain on January 5 in Perth.

Each match-up in the United Cup features an ATP singles match, a WTA singles match, and a mixed doubles match, making the event a dynamic showcase of tennis talent from both tours. With world-class players battling for early-season momentum and national pride, the 2026 United Cup promises thrilling tennis action and a preview of the year ahead.

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