SYDNEY: Third-ranked Coco Gauff and sixth-ranked Taylor Fritz will once again join forces as the United States looks to defend its crown at the United Cup, which begins the 2026 tennis season next week in Australia.
The only combined ATP and WTA team event will get underway on January 2, with matches split between Perth and Sydney. Featuring 18 teams, each made up of one ATP and one WTA player, the tournament offers top stars valuable match practice ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on January 18 in Melbourne.
Teams are divided into six groups of three, competing in round-robin play. The six group winners and the best runner-up will advance to the quarterfinals, with the semifinals and final scheduled in Sydney on January 10 and 11. All matches will be played on hard courts and will include an ATP singles match, a WTA singles match and a mixed-doubles contest.
The U.S. team, spearheaded by Gauff and Fritz, defeated Poland 2-0 in the 2025 final, adding to their inaugural United Cup triumph in 2023. Germany claimed the 2024 title by beating Poland 2-1.
Poland are again expected to be major contenders, led by world No. 2 Iga Swiatek alongside former top-10 player Hubert Hurkacz. The United States will open its Group A campaign in Perth against Argentina on January 3 before facing Spain on January 5.
