United Cup

Overview

The United Cup is a global tennis competition where teams from 18 different countries, made up of both men and women, compete on hard courts. The first tournament took place from December 2022 to January 2023 and happened in three Australian cities for 11 days right before the Australian Open. It's unique because, for the first time in mixed-gender team events.

Looking ahead to the 2025 United Cup, it's the third time this event is happening. It's an outdoor tennis tournament played on hard courts and involves mixed-gender teams. The event runs from December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025, across two locations in Perth and Sydney, Australia. In this edition of United Cup, nine teams from each city will participate, which is three more than in 2023. The teams will be drawn into six groups of three countries each. Note each team will also have a captain.

Format for United Cup 2023:

Each match in the tournament comprises 2 men's singles matches, 2 women's singles matches, and a mixed doubles match.

The matches are split into two sessions held on different days. On the first day, one men's singles match and one women's singles match are played. On the second day, another men's singles match and another women's singles match are followed by a mixed doubles match.

During the first week, each city hosts two groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format. One group plays all its ties in the morning sessions, while the other group plays in the evening sessions.

The group winners in each city then face off in a city final for one of three semifinal spots. This city final occurs in one day, with both morning and evening sessions. Among the three losing teams, the one with the best record at that point becomes the fourth semifinalist.

A travel day is allocated before the semifinals and finals, which take place in Sydney.

Semifinal ties occur over two days, similar to the round-robin stage. The final is played in one day. If the match winner is determined after four singles matches, the mixed doubles match is not played.

Qualification for United Cup 2023:

A total of 18 countries qualify through the following criteria:

  • Six countries secure qualification based on the ATP ranking of their top-ranked singles player.

  • Another six countries qualify based on the WTA ranking of their leading singles player.

  • The remaining six countries earn qualification based on the combined ranking of their top-ranked players in both ATP and WTA.

As the host nation, Australia is assured one of the spots reserved for teams with the best combined ranking in the event it does not qualify independently.

Each team is comprised of three or four players from each tour.

Format for United Cup 2024/2025:

For both events, In both cities, three groups, each comprising three countries, will host a round-robin format. This format involves one men's and one women's singles match, along with one mixed doubles match.

The winners of each group and the top-performing runner-up from a city will progress to the quarterfinals. A day for travel will be scheduled before the semifinals and final unfold in Sydney.

More information on the format:

2024 Edition

The 2024 United Cup was hosted in two Australian cities: Perth and Sydney.

  • Perth's RAC Arena: The event commenced on Friday, 29 December 2023.

  • Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena: Group stage matches began on Saturday, 30 December 2023.

  • Sydney Finals:

    • Semifinals: Held on 6 January 2024.

    • Finals: Held on 7 January 2024.

2025 Edition

The third edition of the United Cup is scheduled to take place from Friday, 27 December 2024, to Sunday, 5 January 2025, again in Perth and Sydney.

  • Perth's RAC Arena: Opening matches begin on 27 December 2024.

  • Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena: Group stage matches start on 28 December 2024.

  • Quarterfinals:

    • Perth: 1 January 2025

    • Sydney: 2 and 3 January 2025

  • Sydney Finals:

    • Semifinals: Held on 4 January 2025.

    • Finals: Held on 5 January 2025.

Qualification for United Cup 2024/2025:

A total of 18 countries qualify through the following criteria:

  • Six countries secure qualification based on the ATP ranking of their top-ranked singles player.

  • Another six countries qualify based on the WTA ranking of their leading singles player.

  • The remaining six countries earn qualification based on the combined ranking of their top-ranked players in both ATP and WTA.

As the host nation, Australia is assured one of the spots reserved for teams with the best combined ranking in the event it does not qualify independently.

Each team is comprised of three or four players from each tour.

Other information on qualification criteria

2024 Edition

Eighteen countries earned qualification based on the ATP and WTA rankings of their No. 1 singles players and their combined team rankings. As the host nation, Australia was guaranteed a spot if it did not qualify directly.

2025 Edition

The qualification process for 2025 introduces new adjustments:

  • Since 16 October 2024 the Initial Qualification:

    • Ten countries will qualify through the top five highest-ranked male and female players entered, as determined by ATP and WTA rankings.

    • Eight additional teams will qualify based on the best combined rankings of the highest-ranked male and female players from the same country.

  • Second Qualification Date:

    • Any player in the ATP or WTA Top 10 (up to one from each tour) who has entered the tournament and has an eligible team, but whose team has not qualified, will be granted entry.

    • In such cases, their team will replace the lowest-ranked team based on combined rankings.

Australia retains guaranteed entry as the host nation.

Unique features of United Cup:

  • The MatchID for Mixed Doubles will be designated as "MX."

  • Throughout the tournament, the Order of Play, along with an updated draw file, will be dispatched once nominations and match confirmations are finalised on-site. This information will be provided a day before the scheduled matches.

  • It's important to note that Mixed Doubles pairings may undergo last-minute updates before being played, as the team captain has the flexibility to alter their selection based on their preference.

Note MatchID Acronyms:

Acronym

Type

MS

Men's Singles

LS

Ladies' Singles

MX

Mixed Doubles

Sample draw file:

{
  "MS": {
    "competitionType": "MS",
    "entrySize": 18,
    "numberOfPools": 6,
    "competitionId": "2024-8004",
    "matches": [
      {
        "estimatedTime": "10:00+11:00",
        "teamA": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "HB71",
              "firstName": "Hubert",
              "lastName": "Hurkacz",
              "country": "POL"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 1
          }
        },
        "eventId": "MS111",
        "round": null,
        "teamB": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "DH50",
              "firstName": "Alejandro",
              "lastName": "Davidovich Fokina",
              "country": "ESP"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 11
          }
        },
        "estimatedDate": "2024-01-01",
        "stageType": "Knockout"
      },
      {
        "estimatedTime": "10:00+10:00",
        "teamA": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "326408",
              "firstName": "Iga",
              "lastName": "Swiatek",
              "country": "POL"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 1
          }
        },
        "eventId": "LS112",
        "round": null,
        "teamB": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "318872",
              "firstName": "Sara",
              "lastName": "Sorribes Tormo",
              "country": "ESP"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 11
          }
        },
        "estimatedDate": "2024-01-01",
        "stageType": "Knockout"
      },
      {
        "estimatedTime": "10:00+10:00",
        "teamA": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "313806",
              "firstName": "Katarzyna",
              "lastName": "Piter",
              "country": "POL"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "player2": {
              "id": "M0E1",
              "firstName": "Daniel",
              "lastName": "Michalski",
              "country": "POL"
            },
            "seed": 1
          }
        },
        "eventId": "MX113",
        "round": null,
        "teamB": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "324128",
              "firstName": "Marina",
              "lastName": "Bassols Ribera",
              "country": "ESP"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "player2": {
              "id": "V758",
              "firstName": "David",
              "lastName": "Vega Hernandez",
              "country": "ESP"
            },
            "seed": 11
          }
        },
        "estimatedDate": "2024-01-01",
        "stageType": "Knockout"
      },
      {
        "estimatedTime": "17:00+11:00",
        "teamA": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "HB71",
              "firstName": "Hubert",
              "lastName": "Hurkacz",
              "country": "POL"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 1
          }
        },
        "eventId": "MS121",
        "round": null,
        "teamB": {
          "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
          "team": {
            "player1": {
              "id": "SX91",
              "firstName": "Thiago",
              "lastName": "Seyboth Wild",
              "country": "BRA"
            },
            "entryType": "Standard",
            "seed": 0
          }
        },
        "estimatedDate": "2023-12-30",
        "stageType": "Knockout"
      },

OOP sample:

[
  {
    "startTime": {
      "status": "StartsAt",
      "time": "01:05+11:00"
    },
    "courtSeq": 1,
    "courtName": "RAC Arena",
    "teamA": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "DH50",
          "firstName": "Alejandro",
          "lastName": "Davidovich Fokina",
          "country": "ESP"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "seed": 11
      }
    },
    "matchType": "MS",
    "eventId": "2024-8004-MS131",
    "date": "2023-12-29",
    "status": "Finished",
    "teamB": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "SX91",
          "firstName": "Thiago",
          "lastName": "Seyboth Wild",
          "country": "BRA"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "seed": 0
      }
    },
    "competitionId": "2024-8004",
    "courtId": "2"
  },
  {
    "startTime": {
      "status": "FollowsPrevious",
      "time": "01:19+11:00"
    },
    "courtSeq": 2,
    "courtName": "RAC Arena",
    "teamA": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "318872",
          "firstName": "Sara",
          "lastName": "Sorribes Tormo",
          "country": "ESP"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "seed": 11
      }
    },
    "matchType": "MS",
    "eventId": "2024-8004-LS132",
    "date": "2023-12-29",
    "status": "Finished",
    "teamB": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "318176",
          "firstName": "Beatriz",
          "lastName": "Haddad Maia",
          "country": "BRA"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "seed": 0
      }
    },
    "competitionId": "2024-8004",
    "courtId": "2"
  },
  {
    "startTime": {
      "status": "FollowsPrevious",
      "time": "01:31+11:00"
    },
    "courtSeq": 3,
    "courtName": "RAC Arena",
    "teamA": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "324128",
          "firstName": "Marina",
          "lastName": "Bassols Ribera",
          "country": "ESP"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "player2": {
          "id": "DH50",
          "firstName": "Alejandro",
          "lastName": "Davidovich Fokina",
          "country": "ESP"
        },
        "seed": 11
      }
    },
    "matchType": "MS",
    "eventId": "2024-8004-MX133",
    "date": "2023-12-29",
    "status": "Finished",
    "teamB": {
      "status": "KnownTennisTeam",
      "team": {
        "player1": {
          "id": "318176",
          "firstName": "Beatriz",
          "lastName": "Haddad Maia",
          "country": "BRA"
        },
        "entryType": "Standard",
        "player2": {
          "id": "M919",
          "firstName": "Marcelo",
          "lastName": "Melo",
          "country": "BRA"
        },
        "seed": 0
      }
    }

PreviousATP - Round Robin TournamentsNextAPI Information

Last updated