De Minaur, Zverev, Mboko among stars firing up in Sydney ahead of United Cup
United Cup action in Sydney does not begin until 3 January (2 January in Perth), but many of the biggest tennis stars in the world have been working hard at Sydney Olympic Park.
Alex de Minaur practised with fellow Sydneysider Aleksandar Vukic Tuesday with Team Australia’s United Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt watching on. De Minaur has long enjoyed success at the mixed-teams event, where he has defeated Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the past.
Another man he has beaten at the season-opening event is Alexander Zverev, who is also on site and revving up for his 2026 season.
<img alt=”Alexander Zverev practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/27/zverev-united-cup-2026-practice-tuesday.jpg?w=100%25″ />
The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion led Germany to United Cup glory in 2024 and will hope to do so again this year beginning with his country’s clash on Sunday against the Netherlands.
<img alt=”Victoria Mboko practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/28/mboko-united-cup-2026-practice-tuesday.jpg” />
Victoria Mboko is playing in the United Cup for the first time, leading the way for Canada alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime.
<img alt=”Felix Auger-Aliassime practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/30/auger-aliassime-united-cup-2026-practice-tuesday.jpg” />
Auger-Aliassime ended his 2025 season playing some of the best tennis of his career, competing in the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time. He is at a career-high No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
<img alt=”Casper Ruud practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/29/ruud-united-cup-2026-practice-tuesday.jpg” />
Casper Ruud has flown the flag for Norway since the inception of the event and will look to make a quick start to his campaign. The 27-year-old’s first match of the year will come Monday against Czechia’s Jakub Mensik.
<img alt=”Hubert Hurkacz practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/31/hurkacz-united-cup-2026-practice-tuesday.jpg” />
Hubert Hurkacz has been waiting since June to step on court for an ATP Tour match after struggling with a knee injury. The Polish former World No. 6 again partners Iga Swiatek at the United Cup after falling short in the championship match in two consecutive editions.
<img alt=”Maya Joint practises Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/30/09/24/joint-united-cup-2026.jpg” />
Maya Joint will try to help carry home hopes inside Ken Rosewall Arena as Australia’s No. 1 WTA player. Joint trained with Mboko on Tuesday and will open her season Saturday against Norway’s Malene Helgo.
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