Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz commit to 2026 United Cup, seeking redemption after two final losses

The 2026 season is starting to take shape, following the confirmation of Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz for the upcoming United Cup, the tournament that kicks off the season for both ATP and WTA stars. The tournament starts the Australian calendar with a mixed-team country event.

The United Cup has been a success in recent years, although a change in its calendar position has been anticipated for the next season, as it will be delayed by one week and is scheduled to return starting Friday, January 2, 2026. The first players confirmed are the Poles, who feature the female World No. 2 and the male World No. 78.

Poland has been a team that has been a protagonist in all three editions played: reaching the semi-finals in 2023 and then falling in the finals of 2024 and 2025—both occasions with Swiatek and Hurkacz at the helm. This time, the European duo will seek revenge in the tournament, which will take place across three Australian cities. The United Cup welcomes 18 teams in total, from 18 countries:

• Six countries based on the ATP ranking of their No. 1 ranked singles player

• Six countries based on the WTA ranking of their No. 1 ranked singles player

• The final six countries based on the combined ranking of their number one ranked ATP and WTA players.

The tournament is played with group stages—three countries in each group—across two cities: Sydney and Perth (Brisbane is eliminated this year). The winners of each group will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by the two best second-place teams from the group stage, totaling 8 teams in the quarter-finals. From there, matches are direct eliminations—with one men's singles, one women's singles, and a mixed doubles if necessary.

For now, Poland is just the second team confirmed—after Swiatek qualified as the women's World No. 2. The Europeans will join the host, Australia, which has a wildcard due to its local status. Unlike previous years—in which it was played in Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane with 6 countries in each city—this time Brisbane is eliminated, and 9 countries will be divided into each of the two remaining cities.

"It's always an amazing experience and just an honor to represent your country and especially alongside such great players,” the 6-time Grand Slam champion said. “I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event," she added. "This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”

Swiatek is the player with the most victories in the United Cup, despite not having won the title yet. She has 14 wins in 16 appearances, although her last match was a surprising defeat against the American Coco Gauff (4-6, 4-6), which proved crucial in the USA lifting their first title—with Fritz sealing the victory in a third-set tie-break against Hubi Hurkacz.

Unlike previous years, Hurkacz will arrive this time particularly disadvantaged by a poor ranking. The Pole was unable to compete in too many tournaments this season and ended the year early after his retirement in the Libema Open second round—mid-grass-swing—before taking the court.

Hurkacz will play his first tournament in more than 6 months, and it will be the perfect chance to gain momentum ahead of a busy season. The Poles will also have their respective coaches, with two experienced figures, Wim Fissette (Swiatek) and Nicolás Massú (Hurkacz), as the coaching duo for the Polish team, as they were in 2025.