Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev, Victoria Mboko among shooting stars in Sydney ahead of United Cup | ATP Tour

United Cup

De Minaur, Zverev, Mboko among the shooting stars in Sydney ahead of the United Cup

Felix hopes to keep the momentum going, Hurkacz returns to action

December 30, 2025

United Cup action in Sydney doesn’t start until January 3 (January 2 in Perth), but many of the world’s biggest tennis stars have been hard at work at Sydney Olympic Park.

Alex de Minaur trained with fellow Sydneysider Aleksandar Vukic on Tuesday while Australia’s United Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt looked on. De Minaur has been enjoying success in this mixed team event for a long time, where he has defeated Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the past.

Another man he beat in the season opener is Alexander Zverev, who is also there and renewing his 2026 season.

Alexander Zverev practices on Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”

The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion led Germany to the United Cup in 2024 and will hope to do so again this year starting with his country’s match against the Netherlands on Sunday.

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Victoria Mboko makes her United Cup debut, leading Canada alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Felix Auger-Aliassime trains on Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”

Auger-Aliassime finished her 2025 season playing the best tennis of her career, competing in the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time. He holds a career high of No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Casper Ruud trains on Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”

Casper Ruud has been flying the Norwegian flag since the event’s inception and will be looking to get his campaign off to a flying start. The 27-year-old will play his first match this year on Monday where he will face Jakub Mensik from the Czech Republic.

Hubert Hurkacz trains on Tuesday in Sydney ahead of the United Cup.” style=”width:100%;” src=”

Hubert Hurkacz has been waiting since June to take the court in an ATP Tour match after suffering a knee injury. The former Polish world No. 6 has also partnered Iga Swiatek in the United Cup after failing to reach the championship match in two straight sets.

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Maya Joint will try to help carry the hopes home inside the Ken Rosewall Arena as Australia’s WTA No. 1 player. Joina trained with Mboko on Tuesday and will open her season on Saturday against Malene Helgo from Norway.