Two days before the end of 2022, the United Cup is set to open the season with a high-profile showdown in Sydney. The event marks the inaugural mixed-team competition for the ATP and WTA, bringing together top players from around the world in a unique team format. The last Australian Open champion, currently ranked world number two, is poised to be the central star of this star-studded event in Australia.
“There is strong motivation to start the year with a solid performance. The recent months have been challenging, but once in Sydney, the priority is to recapture feel and competitive rhythm on court,” a leading figure said, underscoring the focus on early-season form.
In Sydney, the United Cup returns as a premier platform where teams from both the men’s and women’s tours compete side by side. The tournament emphasizes national pride and teamwork, while still delivering high-level tennis with slam-caliber stars.
Day two features a clash that fans eagerly anticipate, with one of the world’s best players slated to take the court. The schedule highlights the participation of prominent singles players as well as the growing importance of doubles in determining the overall team result. The competition atmosphere in Sydney promises a vibrant start to the season with strong spectator interest and media coverage.
The event had not seen official competition for some time, with players taking part in exhibitions and recovery periods after a busy calendar. This edition aims to showcase resilience and fitness as athletes return to top form.
Djokovic and Alcaraz
At 36, Nadal is embarking on his 22nd season as a professional, a reminder of the longevity at the elite level. He addressed rumors about his future, reaffirming his intention to continue competing at the highest stages. In contrast, recent discussions around other top players highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport, where plans can change rapidly due to injuries or strategic choices.
Nadal welcomed the chance to see Novak Djokovic back on Australian soil after the prior year’s deportation linked to vaccination policies. The return of Djokovic to Melbourne was celebrated by fans, though he chose to participate in Adelaide for the United Cup rather than Sydney. World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who would later head to Australia for the Australian Open, was not listed in Sydney but remained a key storyline for the season ahead.
New competition format
The United Cup features eighteen teams, split into six groups based on top ATP and WTA rankings and overall combined standings. The teams are organized into six groups of three and will compete over eleven days across three venues: Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney.
Each tie spans two days. The leaders and the second-ranked players from each team face off in both men’s and women’s singles, with a final mixed doubles encounter used to break ties. Two groups compete at every venue, and group winners advance to a final stage. The two group winners meet in semi-finals, with one more final to determine the overall champion who advances to the semi-finals of a larger competition structure.
The Spanish team features notable players such as Nadal alongside Paula Badosa, Pablo Carreño, Nuria Parrizas, Albert Ramos, David Vega, and Jessica Bouzas. England’s group includes Cameron Norrie, Daniel Evans, and Harriet Dart. Australia, after a late change in its lineup, saw changes to its roster including Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler, and Ajla Tomljanovic as some original members did not participate.
In Sydney, a third group includes the United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The winners of the two groups will move on to the semi-finals. Other groups in Perth feature Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, and France, Croatia, Argentina, while Brisbane hosts Poland, Switzerland, Kazakhstan in Group B and a Group E lineup with Italy, Brazil, and Norway.