United Cup 2026 team captains confirmed: Lleyton Hewitt, Stan Wawrinka and Tim Henman the standouts in a field of highly regarded names

The United Cup is set to commence from January 2-11 in Sydney and Perth, Australia. Some of the best players in the world will be competing for their respected nations as they hunt for a successful start to the 2026 campaign. Among them will be some star-studded captains including the likes of Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman and Stan Wawrinka.

It is always a popular event which sees many top talents from the ATP and WTA Tour team up on the court. It commences with a group phase, with six groups of three nations all playing each other as they look for a pathway out. The countries who top the group make it into the knockout phase, with the two best runners-up also sneaking through. USA have ruled this competition in the three years it has been hosted. Last year, Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff found a great partnership as they fended off Poland to clinch their second title following success in 2023. Iga Swatek's Poland were also second best in 2024 when Germany stormed to glory.

Team captains have the important role of keeping motivation and relationships at a high in the camp, getting each player motivated for their tie while using their experience in the sport to offer key advice. They also hold the responsibility of picking who plays when and who, a hugely important decision which could make or break their competition.

The number one seeds, the USA, have former American number three Michael Russell in their camp. The 47-year-old retired back in 2015 and has focused on coaching some bright talents including the likes of Frances Tiafoe, Sam Querrey and Fritz. Their neighbours to the north, Canada, has doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski. The current doubles number 10 has a career-high of third in the world and boasts four Grand Slam titles, including the recent US Open.

For Italy, it is Stefano Cobolli who will be taking lead. The father of the Davis Cup Finals hero Flavio Cobolli will be overseeing his son's and Paolini's progress Down Under. Australia can count on former world number one Lleyton Hewitt. The hosts have high expectations to produce the goods in front of a partizan crowd. While he may be on the sidelines in this event, Hewitt has recently stepped back onto the court with his son in some doubles events, enjoying some success.

Former British number one Tim Henman will take charge of Great Britain. Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu will be making their debut in the event. Henman has had previous experience captaining Team Europe at the Laver Cup as well as leading his country to glory in the ATP Cup back in 2020.

Another dad will be overlooking their son's progress in Australia. This time for the 2024 champions Germany with Alexander Zverev Sr accompanying the world number three. From fathers to partners, Elise Merten's other half Christopher Heyman will take up duties of Belgium team captain with former Grand Slam semi-finalist Lucas Pouille captaining France.

The two-time finalists Poland will have a coaching member of Hubert Hurkacz, Mateusz Terczynski, debut as captain. Miguel Sanchez will command Spain, Jiri Novak will take the leashes at Czechia while Petros Tsitsipas will once again work with his son Stefanos. Go Soeda will team up with Naomi Osaka's Japan, Sebastian Gutierrez is captain for Argentina, Tallon Griekspoor will not just be influencing on the court but off it, for the Netherlands while Stan Wawrinka will also take that same role. The three-time Grand Slam champion's experience will come in key if Switzerland are going to make a deep run. Norway's standout player Casper Ruud will have the company of his father, Christian, with China boasting Di Wu as they return for a second year on the bounce.