Third-ranked Coco Gauff and sixth-ranked Taylor Fritz will spearhead the United States’ bid to defend their United Cup title in Australia, with the mixed-team event kicking off the 2026 season from Jan. 2 across Perth and Sydney.
Tournament Overview
The United Cup serves as a key warm-up for the Australian Open, starting Jan. 18 in Melbourne. Eighteen nations will compete, each represented by one male and one female singles player. Teams are divided into six groups of three, with group-stage matches played in a round-robin format. The six group winners plus the best runner-up advance to the quarterfinals.
Match Format
Each tie features three contests: one men’s singles, one women’s singles, and one mixed doubles match. The format tests squad depth and versatility, with players competing on outdoor hard courts. Sydney will host the semifinals and final on Jan. 10 and 11.
U.S. Title Defence
The United States arrive as defending champions after Gauff and Fritz led the team to a 2–0 victory over Poland in the 2025 final. The Americans also claimed the inaugural title in 2023, while Germany won the trophy in 2024 with a win over Poland.
Gauff and Fritz’s reunion highlights the U.S. squad’s strength, aiming to maintain dominance and set the tone for the 2026 tennis season ahead of the Australian Open.
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