Iga Swiatek set to skip United Cup for first time with different event chosen to commence 2027 campaign

At the start of 2026, Iga Swiatek and Poland finally got over the line to win the United Cup following heartbreaks in 2024 and 2025. Now that is ticked off her list, the six-time Grand Slam champion has altered her plans to the start of the next campaign, prioritising a separate WTA tournament over her usual United Cup involvement.

Poland have always had a strong lineup for the team event. Since its inaugural tournament in 2023, Swiatek has partnered with Hubert Hurkacz, as they formed a lethal partnership that finally managed to win big.

After getting revenge on the reigning champions, USA, in the semi-finals, the surprise outfit of Switzerland were standing in their way of glory. Swiatek had to be bailed out by her teammates again after losing the opening tie against Belinda Bencic, but they proved good enough in the other two contests to win the title.

They return as defending champions, but with a new lineup. Hurkacz is still in line to feature, but Swiatek's services will not be in use. Instead, it is Maja Chwalinska who is stepping up to the table. Her breakthrough campaign in 2026 has cemented her among the top 20 players, reaching the final of Roland Garros as a qualifier before proving that was no fluke by winning the Wuhan Open.

It is big shoes to fill, but the 25-year-old should be up to the task based off her incredible season just gone. For Swiatek, her attention will be focused elsewhere for a change.

According to the Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy, Swiatek will be competing in the Brisbane International in this time period. The WTA 500 tournament will be played from January 3-10, and is a popular event for many of the higher ranked players who are not featuring in the United Cup to compete in.

Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time reigning champion after defeating Marta Kostyuk in last year's final. Swaitek will hope to add her name to the roll of honour, with her coach, Francisco Roig, all-but confirming the news.

"Together with Iga, we have decided that she will begin the new season at the Brisbane tournament. In making this decision, we primarily considered her preparation plan and competition schedule, especially with the Australian Open in mind. This means that Iga will not participate in the United Cup. I know how much her participation in this tournament has meant to her over the past few years. Representing Poland has always been, and continues to be, very important to her."

Swiatek's form has not been that convincing as of late. She found her feet in North America, winning the Canadian Open title before a semi-final run in Cincinnati made for good reading. However, it seemed to have gone wrong again after a surprise exit at the US Open against Zheng Qinwen, halting her momentum.

She would go on to lose in the quarter-finals of the China Open and semi-finals of the Wuhan Open, carrying a knock in the process that would prove detrimental to her WTA Finals ambitions. She has since prioritised her fitness and has not qualified for the event in Indian Wells.

Ranked ninth in the world, Swiatek is looking to bounce back with a bang while getting some ranking points on the board in the early stages of the season and some crucial momentum heading into the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam that Swiatek has not won.