The United Cup is a standout event in global tennis, bringing together the best male and female players to represent their countries at the highest competitive level. The third edition of this team-based tournament will take place in Perth and Sydney, Australia, later this month. Featuring top players like Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Zverev, the event promises a spectacular showcase of talent and national pride.
Scheduled to run from December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025, the United Cup will be contested on outdoor hard courts at Perth’s RAC Arena and Sydney’s Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
Tournament Format:
The United Cup will feature 18 teams divided into six groups, each consisting of three teams. The group stage will adopt a round-robin format, with each city hosting three groups. Each tie comprises three matches: a men’s singles, a women’s singles, and a mixed doubles. Singles matches are best-of-three sets with tiebreaks, while mixed doubles will be played over two sets with a match tiebreak if the score is tied at one set apiece.
Advancement Rules:
Group Winners: Each group winner will advance to the quarterfinals.
Best Runners-up: The top runner-up from each city will also progress to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal matches in Perth will be followed by travel and rest days on January 2 and 3. The semifinals and final will be held in Sydney on January 4 and January 5, respectively.
Full Schedule:
December 27: Group C (Kazakhstan vs. Spain) and Group E (China vs. Brazil) – Perth.
December 28: Group D (France vs. Switzerland) and Group F (Australia vs. Argentina) – Sydney; Group A (Canada vs. Croatia) and Group C (Greece vs. Spain) – Perth.
December 29: Group B (Czechia vs. Norway) and Group D (Italy vs. Switzerland) – Sydney; Group E (Germany vs. Brazil) and Group A (USA vs. Canada) – Perth.
December 30: Group F (Great Britain vs. Argentina) and Group B (Poland vs. Norway) – Sydney; Group C (Greece vs. Kazakhstan) and Group E (China vs. Germany) – Perth.
December 31: Group D (Italy vs. France) – Sydney; Group A (USA vs. Croatia) – Perth.
January 1: Group B (Poland vs. Czechia) and Group F (Great Britain vs. Australia) – Sydney; Quarterfinal 1 (Group C Winner vs. Group E Winner) and Quarterfinal 2 (Group A Winner vs. Best Runner-up in Perth) – Perth.
January 2-3: Quarterfinals 3 and 4 (Group B Winner vs. Best Runner-up in Sydney; Group D Winner vs. Group F Winner) – Sydney.
January 4: Semifinals in Sydney.
January 5: Final in Sydney.
Expectations for the Tournament:
Event director Stephen Farrow expressed his excitement, highlighting the United Cup’s ability to inspire country pride akin to the Olympics. He emphasized the tournament’s competitive atmosphere, significant prize money, and ATP/WTA ranking points as key draws for players and fans. Farrow is optimistic about connecting with local communities and building on the success of the previous editions.
Western Australia’s tourism minister, Rita Saffioti, also emphasized the economic and cultural impact of the tournament. She noted that the United Cup enhances the region’s reputation as a premier destination for international sporting events, boosting visitor numbers and contributing millions to the local economy.
Prize Money and Rankings:
The United Cup 2025 boasts a minimum prize pool of USD 10 million and offers up to 500 PIF ATP and WTA ranking points for participating players. The event aims to attract large crowds and deliver an unforgettable experience for tennis fans worldwide.
As the competition approaches, players from 18 countries are gearing up to bring their best to the courts. The organizers hope the event will live up to its promise of delivering Olympic-level excitement and inspiring a sense of national pride among fans.