Former world number 6 Hubert Hurkacz and six-time champion and 2025 Wimbledon winner Iga Swiatek will join forces at the 2026 United Cup, making Poland the first team to commit to next year’s event.
From January 2 to January 11, Poland and 17 other countries, with up to three men and up to three women, will compete side by side in Perth and Sydney for the fourth consecutive year.
The innovative mixed-team tennis event will see players compete for the coveted trophy, a minimum of AUD$17 million in prize money and 500 PIF ATP Rankings and WTA Rankings points.
Team Poland, a two-time finalist, will appear at the United Cup for the fourth time.
World No. 2 Swiatek, who won her last Grand Slam title at Wimbledon before winning her 25th singles title in Seoul last month, will lead the team again.
“The United Cup is always great. It’s always a great experience and just an honor to represent your country and especially next to such great players,” said Swiatek, who has a 14-2 win-loss singles record at the event.
“I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event. This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”
Swiatek is looking forward to meeting her Polish fans in Australia.
“They are the best because they are literally everywhere,” Swiatek said. “In every country we go to there are a lot of Poles and in Australia there is a big Polish community. I think they are really committed and they really believe in us, and that’s the most important thing.”
Hurkacz also likes the team aspect of the United Cup and the trip Down Under.
“I really enjoy the team atmosphere and the opportunity to represent our country,” said Hurkacz. “And I really enjoy coming to Australia and of course the Australian people. I really like the atmosphere there.”
In 2025, Poland fell 2-0 in the final to Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz of Team USA.
In 2024, Poland gained championship points in a decisive mixed doubles match before Germany triumphed 2–1.
Perth will host the first day of United Cup action at the RAC Arena on January 2, while Sydney’s group stage kicks off on January 3 at the Ken Rosewall Arena.
Group winners in each city will progress to the quarter-finals, with one quarter-final spot in each city awarded to the best runners-up in that city.
The quarter-finals will be held in Perth on January 7. In Sydney it takes place on January 8 and 9. The semi-finals and final will be held in Sydney on January 10 and 11.
“We are pleased that six-time Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Hubi Hurkacz of Poland have made early commitments to the United Cup this summer,” said United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow.
“The United Cup occupies a unique position in global tennis, with the best men and women in the world representing their countries at the highest level. We are extremely proud to host the fourth edition of the tournament.
“The players love playing for their countries and giving countries the opportunity to bring their passion and pride together in a mixed team environment creates an energy that makes them all want to be a part of it. We look forward to reconnecting with our sports fans and the tennis community this summer.”
Minister for Tourism of Western Australia, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA said: “The United Cup will be a sensational start to 2026 and mark the fourth consecutive summer that Perth has hosted this world-class tournament, a true testament to Western Australia’s status as a premier destination for major sporting events.”
“This fantastic event will showcase some of the best tennis players in the world, attract thousands of spectators to witness the action and add millions of dollars to WA as part of our economic diversification strategy over the festive period.”
NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Employment and Tourism Steve Kamper added: “I am delighted that Team Poland led by reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek has committed to the 2026 United Cup. This tournament is one of the most anticipated fixtures on the NSW summer sporting calendar, with the passion shown by the world’s best tennis players competing for their country creates an incredible atmosphere for fans. Sydney is one of the world’s greatest venues for international sport, and as host to the biggest matches of the United Cup, we look forward to welcoming tennis fans from around the world for another exciting event experience in the Harbor City.”
Learn more about the United Cup
• Participation is conditional on players committing to the event before the tournament’s entry deadline of November 11
• At the registration deadline, 10 countries will qualify for the United Cup through the five highest-ranked men and five highest-ranked women registered, based on their PIF ATP rankings and WTA rankings.
• Eight teams qualify based on the best combined rankings of the highest-ranked men’s and women’s players from the same country
• On the second qualifying date on November 17, if there is a player in the Top 10 (maximum 1 ATP and 1 WTA player) of the latest PIF ATP Rankings or WTA Rankings who has applied and has an eligible team, but has not been accepted based on his individual ATP/WTA rankings, he will be accepted and his team will replace the lowest ranked team with a combined ranking.
• Participation is guaranteed for Australia, directly via ranking or as a wildcard
• Each city will host nine teams each: three groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format
• Each tie consists of one men’s singles and one women’s singles match with the #1 ranked singles players, and one mixed doubles match
• Singles matches are best of three tiebreak sets. Mixed doubles are two tiebreak sets with a deciding Match Tiebreak (10 points) in one set
• Group winners in each city will advance to the quarter-finals, with one spot in the quarter-finals in each city awarded to the best runners-up in that city
• The winners will advance to the semi-finals and final, which will be played in Sydney
• The official United Cup draw will take place on November 17 and will determine where the 18 nations will play in Perth and Sydney.
Tickets for the United Cup
• Tickets for the United Cup quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in Sydney go on sale Monday, October 13 at 4pm AEDT via Ticketmaster with tickets starting from $50
• Tickets for the United Cup quarter-finals in Perth go on sale Monday, October 13 at 4pm AWST via Ticketek with tickets starting from $43
• Tickets for the United Cup group stage go on sale in November; Sydney group stage tickets from $40, Perth group stage tickets from $43.
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