United Cup 2026

Overview

The Australian summer tennis swing kicks off in Sydney on Saturday, January 3, with the return of the United Cup. This fan-favourite tournament sees national sides battle it out in men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles, bringing a lively, festival-like vibe to Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park.

The 2026 edition serves up plenty of reasons to get courtside. Local hero Alex de Minaur — who grew up playing at the Parkside Tennis Courts in Kogarah Bay and is now firmly entrenched in the world's top ten — will once again lead Team Australia. He'll be joined by rising star Maya Joint, making her national debut after a breakout season that saw her claim the mantle as Australia's top-ranked women's singles player.

Across the net, they'll be facing the likes of British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, both representing Team Great Britain for the first time, as well as Team Poland's world number two — and six-time grand slam winner — Iga Świątek and Hubert Hurkacz, who'll be looking to recapture the form that propelled him into the world's top ten before injury cut short his 2025 season.

For Sydney fans, the Ken Rosewall Arena schedule is stacked. The opening night session on Saturday, January 3, launches the tournament under the lights, followed by a week of back-to-back ties as teams vie for knockout qualification. The energy ramps up for the quarter-finals on Thursday, January 8, the semi-finals on Saturday, January 10, and the final on Sunday, January 11.

As well as national pride, there'll also be ranking points on the line —  so expect sparks to fly from the first serve.