Rafael Nadal kicks off the new tennis season with the United Cup, a new Qatari mixed-team tournament in Australia. Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who is ranked No. 1 in the world among women, will also appear there. The United Cup can be compared to the Hopman Cup, the Qatari tournament held in Perth until 2019.
Nadal, 36, forms a team in Australia with Paula Padusa, among others. Carlos Alcaraz, the men’s world number one, is not part of the Spanish team. Spain was approached with Australia and Great Britain in the lottery. The three countries awarded Sydney as their host city. With the Australians, Nick Kyrgios pledged his engagement.
The 21-year-old Swiatek is participating in the inaugural Fed Cup with Hubert Hurkacz, among others. Poland will play the group matches in Brisbane.
The United Cup starts on Thursday 29 December and ends on Sunday 8 January. The tournament – divided into three cities – serves as preparation for the Australian Open, the Grand Slam tournament that begins on Monday 16 January.
Nadal will play in the ATP Finals in Turin next week, and Swiatek has already finished her season. She lost last week in the US WTA Finals in the semi-finals to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
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