The Australian summer of tennis continues to take shape, with Bulgaria and Kazakhstan completing the line-up of 18 countries at the first edition of the United Cup.
Meanwhile, Grand Slam champions Andy Murray, Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova, plus rising Italian star Jannik Sinner, will be among the headliners at Adelaide’s two-week Festival of Tennis.
The United Cup is a brand-new annual mixed team event taking place across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney from Thursday 29 December to Sunday 8 January 2023.
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The Adelaide Festival of Tennis comprises Adelaide International 1 (1-8 January 2023) and Adelaide International 2 (9-14 January 2023)
At the United Cup, Bulgaria will join Greece and Belgium in Group A in Perth, while Kazakhstan will join Poland and Switzerland in Group B in Brisbane.
A blockbuster opening session in Perth will feature world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas of top seeded country Greece, up against former world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on Thursday 29 December at RAC Arena.
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On day one in Brisbane, Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and recently crowned Billie Jean King Cup winner Belinda Bencic of Switzerland will meet Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva at Pat Rafter Arena.
United Cup: Final two qualified countries and players
| ATP | WTA | ||
28 195 207 277 |
BULGARIA Grigor Dimitrov Dimitar Kuzmanov Adrian Andreev Alexandar Lazarov |
90 286 321 |
Viktoriya Tomova Isabella Shinikova Gergana Topalova |
37 146 295 210* |
KAZAKHSTAN Alexander Bublik Timofey Skatov Denis Yevseyev Grigoriy Lomakin |
52 435 583 |
Yulia Putintseva Zhibek Kulambayeva Gozal Ainitdinova |
In Adelaide, former world No.1, three-time Grand Slam champion and dual Olympic Gold medallist Murray is looking forward to playing in South Australia for the first time.
“I'll be starting the year in Australia, which I always really enjoy,” the 35-year-old said.
“Playing at the Adelaide International for the first time is something I’m looking forward to. The crowds in Australia love their tennis and they’ve always been very supportive.
“I’ve been working hard in the off-season and the Adelaide International will be great preparation for the Australian Open. I’m looking forward to seeing what Adelaide and 2023 brings.”
The best players in the world will compete for a total prize pool of more than AUD $4 million when Adelaide hosts back-to-back combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournaments from 1-14 January 2023.
Joining Murray at Adelaide International 1 will be Sinner, the world No.15 who at age of 21 is the youngest player to have reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams since Novak Djokovic.
“I can’t wait to start my year in Adelaide,” Sinner said.
“I have heard great things about the tournament, the city and the ease of the event. This is the perfect place to start my year.
“I was fortunate enough to participate in A Day at the Drive in 2021. I can’t wait to play a tour level event in Adelaide in 2023.”
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Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka is set to headline the women’s field for both tournaments, with two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova to join the line-up in the second week.
South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard said the announcement was yet another coup for the state’s sporting scene.
“It is brilliant to have players of the highest calibre coming to Adelaide, and a massive win for SA’s tennis community - players, fans, staff and volunteers,” Hildyard said.
“And it is a massive win for the whole of our state.
“This will be a chance for Australia’s future superstars to see some of the best players in the world and be inspired to chase their sporting dreams. It will also encourage many to be active and get out and have a go.
“This outstanding event will enable fans and players alike to experience the new development at The Drive, which will be ready in time for the first round.
“Well done to all at Tennis SA and Tennis Australia for their work toward hosting this outstanding event, and for all that they do to grow participation in tennis across our state.”
Further player announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster. Tickets start from $20 for adults and entry is free for children at selected sessions.