United Cup 2024: Who’s playing? Are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray competing? What’s the schedule?
The 2024 tennis season starts with the United Cup.
The tournament will be making its second appearance on the calendar, as 18 teams compete across Perth and Sydney over 11 days.
The United States won the inaugural United Cup as they beat Italy in the final.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 edition, including the schedule, who’s playing, and the format…
When is the United Cup and what’s the schedule?
The United Cup starts on December 29.
The opening day will see Spain face Brazil and Great Britain take on hosts Australia, with both ties in Perth.
The group stage finishes on January 3, with the semi-finals on January 6 and final on January 7.
- Friday, December 29: Spain v Brazil, Great Britain v Australia (both Perth)
- Saturday, December 30: Czech Republic v China, Poland v Brazil (both Perth), Netherlands v Norway, Italy v Germany (both Sydney)
- Sunday, December 31: USA v Great Britain, China v Serbia (both Perth), Canada v Chile (Sydney)
- Monday, January 1: Poland v Spain, USA v Australia (both Perth), Croatia v Norway, France v Germany (both Sydney)
- Tuesday, January 2: Czech Republic v Serbia (Perth), Greece v Chile, Croatia v Netherlands (both Sydney)
- Wednesday, January 3: Perth quarter-finals, France v Italy, Greece v Canada (both Sydney)
- Thursday, January 4: Sydney quarter-final
- Friday, January 4: Sydney quarter-final
- Saturday, January 6: Semi-finals
- Sunday, January 7: Final
Who’s playing at the United Cup?
Five of the world’s top 10 women will feature at the United Cup and nine of the world’s top 20 men.
Novak Djokovic will be playing for Serbia, Stefanos Tsitsipas will be playing for Greece, Taylor Fritz for USA, Alexander Zverev for Germany, Casper Ruud for Norway, and Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans for Great Britain.
Iga Swiatek will lead Poland’s team, while Jessica Pegula is playing for USA, Maria Sakkari for Greece, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova for Czech Republic, and Katie Boulter for Great Britain.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber will also be making her return to tennis after giving birth, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez will lead Canada’s team.
Australia have Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic as their leading singles players.
What is the format of the United Cup?
There are six three-team groups, three playing in Perth and three in Sydney.
The quarter-finals will take place in Perth and Sydney, then the semi-finals and final will take place in Sydney.
The three group winners from each city along with the best runner-up qualify for the quarter-finals.
Each team can have up to six players, a maximum of three men and three women.
Each tie will be one men’s singles matches, one women’s singles match, and one mixed doubles match. The team that wins at least two of the matches will win the tie.
What are the United Cup groups?
PERTH
Group A
Poland
Spain
Brazil
Group C
United States
Great Britain
Australia
Group E
Czech Republic
China
Serbia
SYDNEY
Group B
Greece
Canada
Chile
Group D
France
Italy
Germany
Group F
Croatia
Netherlands
Norway
When is the 2024 Australian Open?
The 2024 Australian Open runs from January 14 to 28.
For the first time it will start on a Sunday and will be held across 15 days rather than 14.
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