Greece drew with Spain and Kazakhstan – The Great Herald

The world’s best tennis players are preparing for exciting action at the third United Cup, an innovative mixed teams competition taking place in Perth and Sydney from Friday 27 December to Sunday 5 January 2025.

The official draw, held against the scenic backdrop of Sydney Harbor on Monday, saw the 18 countries divided into six groups of three teams.

Todd Woodbridge, Casey Dellacqua and Lleyton Hewitt assisted with official proceedings while John Fitzgerald and Alicia Molik attended the United Cup draw at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Perth’s Elizabeth Quay.

Perth

Team USA, led by 2023 US Open champion and world No. 3 Coco Gauff and world No. 6 and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, will headline Group A at the RAC Arena in Perth along with Team Canada Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leila Fernandez and Team USA . a third team will be confirmed in November.

Group C included the Greek team, led by the popular duo Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, former third rackets in the world. Group C also includes the Kazakhstan team with world number five Elena Rybakina and the Spanish team.

Team China, Paris 2024 Olympic singles gold medalists Zheng Qingwen and Zhang Zhizhen topped Group E along with defending United Cup champions Germany led by world No.3 Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund, and Brazil’s world No.10 Beatriz Haddad Maya.

Sydney

Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz’s Poland lead Group B in Sydney. They will meet with the Czechs Karolina Muchova and Tomas Machak, as well as the Norwegian national team Kasper Ruud.

Group D will include this year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalists Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli from Italy, as well as France’s Hugo Humbert and Diane Parry. The Swiss team includes Belinda Bencic, who is returning to professional tennis after giving birth to her daughter Bella in April with Dominic Stricker.

Australia, led by Alex de Minaur and Olivia Gadetzky, return to Sydney in Group F to face sixth seed Great Britain, featuring debutants Jack Draper and Katie Boulter. The group is completed by a third team, which will also be confirmed in November.

Lleyton Hewitt said: “It’s very exciting for Alex to play in Sydney, he loves playing at the Ken Rosewall Arena, we know how well he plays there so it’s a good opportunity.”

“Alex always plays well at the Ken Rosewall Arena, where he also gets the home team’s advantage. “Hopefully he can move on… to play as many United Cup matches as possible and prepare as best he can for the Australian Open,” Hewitt added.

United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow said the 2025 draw will see some of the biggest names in world tennis play the United Cup in Perth and Sydney.

“Everyone who plays in this tournament really enjoys the experience,” Farrow said.

“It’s the perfect way to acclimatise to Australian conditions. They love being here and the intensity of the game on the court shows how important winning is to them.”

Western Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism The Hon. Rita Saffioti said she was delighted to host the prestigious tennis event again.

“As the United Cup returns for its third year, we are thrilled to see it once again attracting visitors from all over Australia, as well as giving our local community the opportunity to witness their favorite international players battle it out right here at the RAC Arena.” Saffioti said.

“Events like the United Cup cement Western Australia’s status as a leading destination for major sporting and cultural events, bringing our great state to the world’s attention.”

NSW Sports Minister Steve Camper said he was excited to kick off the summer with an exciting United Cup.

“This tournament has become an integral part of the NSW sporting calendar, providing fans with a fantastic opportunity to watch established and emerging stars while inspiring the next generation of tennis players,” Camper said.

“The excitement and atmosphere of the United Cup further confirms Sydney’s undeniable place as the Asia-Pacific region’s leading sporting destination and I once again look forward to exciting competition.”

The tournament schedule will be published on Tuesday, October 22. Tickets for the United Cup group stage will go on sale from 17:00 local time in each host city.