Fritz, Gauff chase dynasty status at United Cup
Is this the year that Team USA’s United Cup dominance turns into a dynasty?
Armed with Top 10 stars Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff, and thriving in a format that rewards depth as much as star power, the Americans seem eager to capture their third title in four years. Their campaign begins in Perth, where Group A presents the early tests of Spain and Argentina.
“I think it plays to the strengths of our country,” said Fritz, who begins the year at No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I think we have such amazing women’s players. Coco’s first year was just last year, and obviously we won it beforehand, as well.
“The first year we had it with the top two men and top two women, I think that favours our country even more in that kind of format.
“It’s great to just feel like we have such a strong team all throughout. For me personally, I’ve always felt like I play a lot better in the team competitions.”
Fritz delivered the defining moment of last year’s final, edging Hubert Hurkacz in a dramatic third-set tie-break to seal the title. It’s a moment that he remembers fondly and will hope to replicate in 2026.
“It was a really cool moment to clinch that, with the occasion as well, in a third-set tie-breaker, and for the United Cup,” Fritz reflected. I think winning in the team events is always more fun, because you have the whole team to kind of celebrate with afterwards.”
Gauff was equally instrumental last year, producing a spotless singles campaign in which she did not drop a set across five wins. The nature of mixed-teams events is one of the major reasons that the 21-year-old is back for the second time.
“Coming off preseason and being able to start the year in a team environment, it’s like the perfect mix of pressure and having fun,” said Gauff. “Last year I remember being super nervous, because I didn’t want to let anyone down, but I was able to come out of that and do pretty well. I’m hoping to be able to do the same.”
The top seeds have entered the chat in Perth! 📲 pic.twitter.com/fxwUQic9KG
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 2, 2026
Italy looms as another Perth powerhouse, boasting depth and confidence after closing last season with Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup triumphs.
Reflecting on his Davis Cup heroics — including when he saved seven match points against Zizou Bergs — Flavio Cobolli said that he was eager to bring another cup home to Italy.
“Winning the Davis Cup was a dream,” Cobolli said. “It’s a great thing for all the country, for the foundation. We are happy to represent Italy every day.
“[After the victory] I’m more confident in my tennis, for sure. But the season is different. Now is the time to be focussed and start well because last year I didn’t. We’ve prepared for the season very, very hard, and we are training a lot. We are ready to start.”
Cobolli’s partner, Wimbledon and Roland Garros finalist Jasmine Paolini, starts the year at No. 8 in the PIF WTA Rankings and is looking for more United Cup success after winning two of her three matches last year.
“It’s another year, another year of experience,” Paolini said. “Hopefully I can bring those experiences to this year and try to keep the level to improve things in my game. That’s the goal.”
Reflecting on appointing countrywoman and United Cup teammate Sara Errani as coach in the off-season, Paolini said, “It was the moment to say officially, to recognise her role in the team. I’m really happy about that. I think she really understands tennis and she really can help our team to perform better.”
Italy’s Group C rivals include France and Switzerland, with the latter led by Belinda Bencic and three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, who is embarking on his final season as a professional.
“It’s going to be special, but it’s going to be my last year after more than 20 years on Tour,” said Wawrinka. “It’s going to be really special playing all these tournaments that I play so many times for one last time.
“For me, I’m just grateful to be able to play those tournaments again one last time, one more time, to see all the fans around the world. I’m super happy also to discover new cities like here, Perth.”
France, meanwhile, is captained by former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille, a proven leader in team competitions. Pouille famously clinched the decisive fifth rubber in the 2017 Davis Cup final, a moment that underscored France’s pedigree on the international stage.
“We’ve always had a lot of players to compete in this competition,” Pouille said of France. “We were able to win the Davis Cup a couple of times. We are always present in this kind of competition, a team competition, and I really hope that we can make France proud this year at the United Cup.”
Quokkas + Beach = A lovely day out with Team GB 🇬🇧@WestAustralia #WAtheDreamState pic.twitter.com/wXfjHqYLmJ
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 31, 2025
Great Britain also features in Perth, where 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu will make her United Cup debut under the captaincy of Tim Henman. She is joined by Billy Harris, returning for a second consecutive year.
“I think it’s a great way to start the year being part of a team environment,” said Raducanu. “It’s a little bit easier to settle into the year, which is so competitive and individual. It’s nice to share this with the team.
“We all get on really well and have been having a great time off the court and on the court. It’s nice to be a part of that, and it’s such a change from what we usually do. I’m just really happy to represent GB and have the opportunity to also play in such a beautiful place and see Perth.”
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