Alex de Minaur will again start his Australian Open preparations at the United Cup, while women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek will headline the mixed team competition.
Staged in Perth and Sydney from December 27 to January 5, seven of the world’s top 10-ranked women will compete, led by Swiatek, who will look to steer Poland to a maiden title after losing this year’s final to Germany.
Ranked world No.9, de Minaur is hoping to again use the United Cup to launch into the Australian Open, where he is looking to improve on last year’s rousing fourth-round showing.
The home slam is the only major where de Minaur failed to make the quarter-finals in a break-out year for the 25-year-old despite a serious hip injury.
“I’ve had some good memories this year, that’s where I cracked the top 10 for the very first time,” de Minaur said, who did so on the back of his victory over German Alexander Zverev.
“We got awfully close to being able to play a final so hopefully next year we can go out and do Australia proud.
“It’s something quite unique (the United Cup), with two singles and a mixed doubles so it’s something completely different and I’m looking forward to competing.”
Australia will be represented by De Minaur, top-ranked Olivia Gadecki, Omar Jasika, Destanee Aiava and doubles stars, Olympic doubles gold medallist Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez.
World No.3 Zverev will again line up among six of the world’s top 12 men.
Other stars include 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, joining world No.6 and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz in Team USA.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, both former world No.3s, will feature for third seeds Greece while Paris Olympics singles gold medallist Zheng Qinwen and Zhang Zhizen will headline the Chinese team.
The draw will be held in Sydney on Monday.
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