Wimbledon champion signs on for $17 million Australian tournament

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Iga Swiatek, the winner of six grand slam singles titles, has signed on to start her 2026 season in Australia, with Poland the first country to commit to the United Cup.

The 2025 Wimbledon champion will be making her fourth appearance at the tournament since it was introduced in 2022, but has yet to lift the trophy after Poland finished runners-up twice, including in 2025.

The tournament has previously attracted other grand slam champions, including Novak Djokovic and American Coco Gauff – who won the tournament in 2025 with Taylor Fritz – with players eager to start their season in a team environment.

“The United Cup is always amazing. It’s always an amazing experience and just an honour to represent your country and especially alongside such great players,” Swiatek said.

“I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event. This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”

Swiatek will be joined by former world No.6 Hubert Hurkacz, a duo that has previously drawn big crowds to the tournament.

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek shake hands after Gauff gets the win for team USA.

“They’re the best because they’re literally everywhere,” Swiatek said of the Polish fans. “In any country that we go, there are many Polish people, and in Australia, there’s a big Polish community. I think they’re really committed and really believe in us, and that’s what’s most important.”

The United Cup will be held in Sydney and Perth from January 2 to 11 and feature 18 countries with more than $17 million up for grabs.

The tournament has yet to confirm the other competing nations, but Australia automatically qualifies as the host country.

Australia have never won the tournament, but heads into the 2026 season in its best shape in years, with world No.19 Daria Kasatkina switching allegiances to Australia, and rising talent Maya Joint surging to world No. 35.

Alex de Minaur in action at the 2025 United Cup.

Alex de Minaur has been a staple of the tournament for years, and has had some of the best wins of his career – against Djokovic and Fritz – at the United Cup.

Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart also host tournaments heading into the 2026 Australian Open, but the United Cup has been appealing to big-name players, such as Jasmine Paolini, Karolina Muchova and Alexander Zverev, largely because it’s a change from the singles tour.

“The United Cup holds a unique position in global tennis, with the world’s best men and women representing their country at the highest level. We’re extremely proud to be delivering the fourth edition of the tournament,” said tournament director Stephen Farrow.

“The players adore playing for their country and to be able to give countries the opportunity to bring their passion and pride together in a mixed team environment creates an energy that makes them all want to be part of it.”