Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios headlines the celebs competing on the United Cup in Sydney this summer season.
Sydney, Australia, 22 December 2022 | Vivienne Christie
It’s only a matter of days earlier than the 2023 season launches with the inaugural United Cup.
Sydney welcomes among the greatest stars in world sport within the round-robin stage at Ken Rosewall Area, with Germany, Nice Britain and USA comprising Group C, and Australia, Czech Republic and Spain competing in Group D, from 29 December – 3 January.
> VIEW: United Cup – Sydney schedule
Nick Kyrgios is among the many many individuals excited by the modern combined competitors, by which women and men can have a uncommon alternative to compete on the identical group.
“We don’t have many occasions through the yr the place we’re each, female and male, taking part in in the identical occasion collectively, competing for prize cash, a title and representing your nation multi functional,” mentioned the Australian No.1.
Followers in Sydney can count on to see some passionate performances. Group winners advance to the Metropolis Finals on Wednesday 4 January, once they face off for a spot within the semifinal.
The semifinals and ultimate will probably be contested in Sydney from 6-8 January, guaranteeing different large names even have an opportunity to shine within the Harbour Metropolis.
Right here’s why a ticket at Ken Rosewall Area is a must have this summer season …
No place like residence
Aussie followers are in for a deal with as their residence group battles for inaugural United Cup glory. Spearheaded by Aussie No.1 Kyrgios, there’s additionally formidable expertise in Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic, who every achieved peak kind in 2022. Jason Kubler, John Friends, Zoe Hives, Maddison Inglis and Sam Stosur spherical out the group, which is able to intention to keep up a proud current historical past in consultant format. In 2022, Australia completed runner-up in each the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup competitions.
World No.2 Rafael Nadal begins the 2023 season competing on the United Cup in Sydney. Image: Getty Photos
Grand Slam superstars
Sydney welcomes essentially the most completed Grand Slam performer within the historical past of males’s tennis when Rafael Nadal takes to the court docket for Group Spain. The 22-time main champion is just not solely the all-time males’s chief in Grand Slam singles titles but in addition the reigning Australian Open champion. Petra Kvitova, representing the Czech Republic, is a two-time Wimbledon girls’ singles titlist, whereas Stosur triumphed on the 2011 US Open. Main doubles champions competing in Sydney embrace Australians Stosur (with seven Grand Slam doubles titles) and Friends (with two). Moreover, Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev (Group Germany) and Madison Keys (Group USA) have all contested Grand Slam singles finals.
Blockbuster match-ups
Circle Monday 2 January in your diary. That night, Kyrgios faces Nadal in a tantalising Australia v Spain encounter, extending a rivalry that started in 2014 with the teenage Australian gorgeous the then-world No.1 in Wimbledon’s fourth spherical. Every of the 9 matches they’ve now contested – Nadal holding a 6-3 benefit – has captured the creativeness of an enthralled worldwide viewers.
Different intriguing match-ups on the Sydney schedule embrace world No.3 Jessica Pegula v Kvitova when USA takes on the Czech Republic (on Friday 30 December) in addition to Taylor Fritz v Zverev as USA meets Germany (2 January).
Subsequent large issues
A number of gamers arrive in Sydney on the again of career-best seasons in 2022. This consists of Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in an intimidating Group USA line-up. The 25-year-old Fritz cracked the world’s high 10 after lifting Indian Wells and Tokyo trophies, whereas Tiafoe surprised Nadal in progressing to the US Open quarterfinals. Paula Badosa (Group Spain) and Cameron Norrie (Group Nice Britain) are others who achieved rankings peaks over the previous yr.
Sam Stosur is a co-captain of Australia’s United Cup group. Image: Getty Photos
Captain’s corners
Some high-profile captains create a captivating dynamic on the facet of the court docket. All eyes will probably be on the Aussie management, which is shared between Grand Slam champions Lleyton Hewitt and Stosur. Former world No.4 Tim Henman brings an X-Issue because the captain of Nice Britain, whereas Mischa Zverev leads Germany’s group.
An enchanting finale
Following the group phases, different high names will journey to Sydney for the semifinals starting on 6 January. Gamers representing Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece (Group A), in addition to Argentina, Croatia and France (Group F) can have competed in Perth, whereas Kazakhstan, Poland, Switzerland (Group B), plus Brazil, Italy and Norway (Group E) vied for United Cup success in Brisbane.
The winners of Metropolis Finals, in addition to the best-performing nation from the three Metropolis Finals runners-up, will compete within the knockout semifinals on 6 and seven January, with the inaugural United Cup champion decided by the ultimate on Sunday 8 January.
Get your tickets
Tickets for adults begin from $40. Go to Ticketmaster now to safe your seats on the United Cup this summer season.
> Go to the United Cup web site to study extra about this thrilling new occasion.
Guide on-line, play at the moment: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!