De Minaur and Swiatek headline United Cup field

Alex de Minaur will kick off his Australian summer campaign at the United Cup. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

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.


License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store