MADRID, 28 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The ATP and WTA announced this Thursday the birth of the United Cup, a new tournament that will feature mixed teams from 18 countries playing in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, from December 29 to January 8, as the start of the 2023 season.
Both male and female tennis associations joined forces for an event that will replace the ATP Cup after three editions. “The United Cup will bring equality to the highest level of sport, with mixed teams from 18 different countries playing in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney over 11 days,” the ATP says in its note.
The United Cup will kick off the 2023 season, as usual, in Australia, in association with the country’s Tennis Federation, with $15 million in prize money at stake. In addition, the tournament will distribute points for the ATP and WTA rankings.
The top 12 countries will qualify through the top six ranked No. 1 players in both the men’s and women’s circuits. The remaining six countries will be ranked according to the best combined ranking of their respective male and female No. 1 players. The teams will have three or four players from each circuit.
Each city will host two groups of three countries, developing the group phase with elimination rounds made up of two ATP and two WTA singles matches, and a mixed doubles match. Each group winner will advance to the United Cup Final Four in Sydney (January 6-8), with the next best-performing team from the group stage completing the quartet.
“I love to see men and women playing together. It’s something that excites me a lot. We are the only sport in the world where men and women compete in the same places, which is something very special about our sport, something to celebrate. Big events like this will help,” said former world number one Andy Murray, in statements contained in the ATP statement.
In addition, the president of the ATP, Andrea Gaudenzi, valued the United Cup as “a step forward for tennis.” “The United Cup marks a huge step forward for tennis. More importantly, it will create incredible new experiences for our fans. We are excited to see the best players competing together, with ranking points at stake, to open the season.” like never before,” he said.
“The United Cup is an important and strategic collaboration between the WTA, ATP and Tennis Australia that reflects an ongoing commitment to elevate our sport. This exciting singles and mixed doubles team event will bring together rising stars and established athletes from both circuits to compete on the same stage, giving players and fans a unique experience where the ultimate outcome can be decided with women and men competing together,” said WTA President and CEO Steve Simon.