A new event is about to kick off the upcoming tennis season. For the first time this Thursday, the United Cup will debut—a mixed-gender team competition that will take place as the first tournament in the global calendar to begin the 2023 season.
With the teams, groups and captains now revealed, several countries have put together strong squads with a range of past and current champions participating. We look at the make up of this event and preview the participants.
The United Cup is a new event and will take place for the first time from Thursday, the 29th of December 2022 to Sunday, the 8th of January 2023 in Australia. The tournament will be played across three Australian cities—Brisbane, Perth and Sydney—and will feature mixed gender teams representing their countries. Each city will host three teams who play a round robin format where two men’s singles matches, two women’s singles matches and a mixed-doubles match will take place.
Teams that top their groups will claim a spot in the semifinals with the next best side from the three groups making up the fourth semifinal spot. Teams will then travel to Sydney where the semifinals and finals will take place. Looking at the teams that have been compiled ahead of the United Cup in late December, there are several early favourites to take out the inaugural tournament. Here’s how bookmaker bet365 has rated each team’s chances.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 28th, 12:00 P.M. (GMT)
With 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and the in-form Paula Badosa, Spain have a strong side that will have a very good shot at making the semifinals, if not further. They sit just behind the United States of America as second favourites on 5.00 with the US on 4.00 courtesy of their strong side with the likes of Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
Australia will of course be home favourites as well. However, their chances have recently been rocked by the late withdrawal of Nick Kyrgios, which has seen their odds drop to 13.00. With the leadership of Lleyton Hewitt who is becoming an experienced mentor through his involvement in the Davis Cup as well as the crowds behind them, the Aussies are still a good shot at progressing.
Finally, Poland are also favourites to make a deep run in the inaugural United Cup at 6.50. With men’s Top 10 player Hubert Hurkacz as well as women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Poland have a strong team that can dominate in singles and mixed doubles.
