"It felt like first date again": Newly engaged couple set to make first tournament appearance together at United Cup

The Australian couple Jason Kubler and Madison Inglis are part of Team Australia just a couple of weeks after getting engaged. On Rottnest Island, the tennis-playing couple decided to tie the knot after several years together, and they will play their first tournament as a team at the United Cup.

The news was shared on social media a few weeks ago, but this marks the first time they have spoken publicly about their engagement. Kubler and Inglis spent the past month in Perth preparing together for the start of the 2026 season, in which they will represent Australia at the United Cup.

Kubler, 32, is currently ranked world No. 192 and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 63 back in 2023. Among his best ATP-level results is a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon 2022, where he defeated players such as Dan Evans and Jack Sock along the way. He also captured the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open alongside his compatriot Rinky Hijikata in 2023 — his only ATP-level title across singles and doubles.

On the other side, 27-year-old Inglis is currently ranked world No. 166 and achieved her career-high ranking of world No. 112 back in 2020, shortly after reaching the third round of the Australian Open as a wildcard — her best result at a Grand Slam — with wins over Leylah Fernandez and Hailey Baptiste.

Both players are listed as alternatives in the singles rubbers in case of injury or withdrawal of Australia’s No. 1 players, Alex de Minaur (No. 7) and Maya Joint (No. 32). Once their participation at the United Cup concludes, both will travel to Melbourne, where they will need to compete in qualifying to secure a spot in the main draw of the first major of the year.

Ahead of Australia’s debut in the tournament — against Casper Ruud’s Norway — the Australian couple spoke in Perth about their recent engagement a few weeks ago. “That was crazy. It felt like we were on a first date again, so I’m very happy Maddy said yes,” Kubler said about the proposal. “But yeah, we were super pumped that we could both get into the United Cup as well. It’s not often that we can play the same tournaments, and when we can, we try. To start the year together, playing for Australia as well, supporting the team — it’s super special, and we’re really looking forward to the week.”

His fiancée Madison Inglis echoed Kubler’s words and said that taking part in the United Cup together has special value after enjoying their pre-season time side by side. “It’s very exciting, especially having that time in Perth, and then it was our first time to Rotto (Rottnest Island). It was such a special spot to do it, so yeah, it was really exciting,” she said during the press conference. “And yeah, it’s been nice to spend these couple of weeks together, especially to enjoy it, and it’s super exciting that we get to be part of Team Australia. So yeah, we’re really looking forward to it.”

The Australians will make their debut on January 3, with Maya Joint facing Malene Helgø and Casper Ruud taking on Alex de Minaur. If required, the tie will be decided in mixed doubles, where Australia is expected to send doubles specialists Storm Hunter (former world No. 1) and John-Patrick Smith (No. 40) onto the court, while Norway will field Casper Ruud alongside former doubles world No. 26 Ulrikke Eikeri.