United Cup 2026 ultimate guide: Alex de Minaur stunned by ‘unbelievable’ Aussie teen’s rapid rise

Alex De Minaur is excited to team up with gun teenager Maya Joint to represent Australia at the United Cup.

The Aussies will battle Norway and Czechia in the group stage of the tennis tournament, taking place across Sydney and Perth and beginning on Friday.

De Minaur, the men’s world No.7, has been the top male Australian player for a number of years now, but Joint has been a sharp riser up the rankings in 2025 on the women’s side.

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Alex De Minaur celebrates after defeating Casper Ruud in the UTS final. CameraSport via Getty Images

The 19-year-old started the year outside of the top 100 in the rankings and entered 2025’s Australian Open as a wildcard.

She then won WTA titles in Morocco and Eastbourne and approaches the United Cup ranked at 32, and hoping to be seeded for the Australian Open later this month.

De Minaur said he has been impressed with her development across 2025.

The Aussie tennis summer kicks off with the 2026 United Cup from Friday, January 2. Watch it live and free on Nine and 9Now.

“Over the last year I was able to watch her unbelievable rise in the rankings,” de Minaur told reporters.

“She’s a great person; she’s playing some incredible tennis. I’m excited to share the court with her.”

The United Cup presents a great opportunity for de Minaur and Joint to represent their country on Aussie soil.

“[They are] the best fans in the world and ultimately for myself and any Aussies competing, there’s nothing you want to do more than play well at home in front of our fans,” he said.

“Obviously I’m super excited to be back here, starting the year off at home playing in front of my fans.”

Maya Joint speaks during to the 2025 Newcombe Medal. Getty Images for Tennis Australi

How does the United Cup work?

The United Cup is a mixed teams event split across two host cities, where representatives from each competing nation battle it out for the trophy.

Each team has a total of six members formed of three ATP and three WTA players. Along with the team members, each group will also have a team captain.

Split into six groups of three, each nation will compete in a round robin format, with the six teams who top their respective groups moving into the quarter finals.

The top four countries in the quarter finals will then play in semi finals, held on January 10, before the final two battle it out in Sydney on January 11.

When and where is the United Cup held?

The 2026 edition of the United Cup will be played in Sydney and Perth.

Matches will begin on Friday, January 2 and finish on January 11.

Alex De Minaur of Australia celebrates his win against Nuno Borges of Portugal. Getty

How can I watch the United Cup?

All matches of the United Cup will be broadcast on Stan Sport.

Some matches will also be shown on Nine and 9Now.

The Aussie tennis summer kicks off with the 2026 United Cup from Friday, January 2. Watch it live and free on Nine and 9Now.

How much prize money is on offer?

Over $17m AUD is on offer for those competing in the fourth edition of the United Cup.

The funds are split into three parts: participation fee, per team wins and prize money.

Previous winners and runner-up

2024 Winner: United States | Runner-up: Poland

2023 Winner: Germany | Runner-up: Poland

2022 Winner: United States | Runner-up: Italy

Seeds

1. Team USA

2. Team Canada

3. Team Italy

4. Team Australia

5. Team Great Britain

6. Team Germany

Coco Gauff will represent Team USA. NurPhoto via Getty Images

What are the United Cup groupings?

Playing in Perth

Group A: United States, Spain and Argentina

Group C: Italy, France and Switzerland

Group E: Great Britain, Greece and Japan

Playing in Sydney

Group B: Canada, Belgium and China

Group D: Australia, Czechia and Norway

Group F: Germany, Poland and the Netherlands

Team Australia during the 2025 United Cup. Getty

United Cup Schedule

January 2

Day session: Spain v Argentina at RAC Arena