Novak Djokovic will begin his preparation for the Australian Open at the United Cup in Perth where he will be bidding to guide his country to the title for the first time.
The world No.1 will headline the Serbian team which also includes Hamad Medjedovic and Olga Danilović. They have been drawn in Group E alongside the Czech Republic and China. Two teams who will be represented by players currently ranked inside the top 60 on both the men’s and women’s Tours.
Djokovic’s group matches will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth which is the former home of the Hopman Cup. It has a capacity of 15,500 and will host nine teams during the group stages.
Another high-profile name starting their season in Perth will be world No.2 Iga Swiatek who leads a strong Polish contingent alongside Hubert Hurkacz. Poland is set to face Spain and a yet-to-be-confirmed third nation in their group. Setting up a possible clash between Hurkacz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The two haven’t faced each other since Wimbledon last year when Fokina prevailed in a five-set epic.
Defending champions America has been drawn in a brutal group with host nation Australia and Great Britain. Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula have both committed to play in the event. The British team includes Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Katie Boulter. Meanwhile, Australia features Boulter’s boyfriend Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanović.
“It could be the end of a beautiful relationship,” former Australia Davis Cup captain Wally Masur joked about the prospect of Boulter and de Minaur facing each other.
“It will be interesting how it plays out because Matty Ebden and Storm Hunter are there so we’ve got plenty of options for the mixed doubles.
“Alex might be in a situation where he plays three sets against Cam Norrie and maybe it’s not in his best interests to back up and play the mixed.
“But him playing Boulter would add a bit of spice.”
Kerber returns to action in Sydney
In Sydney, three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No.1 Angelique Kerber will play her first professional match in over a year. The 35-year-old has been away from the sport after giving birth to her first child. The German team also includes Alexander Zverev. They have been drawn in the same group as France and Italy.
Greece will lock horns with Canada in a tie which could pave the way for some intriguing matches. Felix Auger-Aliassime could take on Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari may face a resurgent Leylah Fernandez. They have been drawn in Group B with another country that is yet to be announced.
Finally, Group F features Casper Ruud’s Norway, the Netherlands and Croatia.
The six Group winners and the best runner-up in both Perth and Sydney will progress to the knockout stages. The United Cup will get underway on December 29th with a prize money pool of around $10M.
