UNITED Cup hosts Australia will have its work cut out for itself, drawing an incredibly tough group at the 2024 event. The Aussies will have to face reigning champions United States, as well as the dangerous Great Britain in a clash of tennis heavyweights of the past eras.

Taking place in Perth, Australia will kick off proceedings against Great Britain on Friday evening, before the United States lock horns with the Brits on Sunday morning. Australia returns to the court on New Year’s Day against USA to conclude the group stage in the 5pm slot on Monday.

The United States are looking to go back-to-back in the tournament, with top seeded talents Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula hungry for more success. Last season the depth of both ATP and WTA players was enviable for the rest of the nations, though the USA is a little weaker in that department without second singles players Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys this year.

Instead, Denis Kudla steps up to the plate for the men’s second singles match, while rising young gun Alycia Parks has answered the call for the women’s second singles player. Though weaker on that front, the United States have a genuine mixed doubles combination if they want to rest up Fritz and Pegula, with Rajeev Ram (sixth in the world) and Desirae Krawczyk (16th). Pegula is ranked equal third in the format however.

Great Britain is just as big of a threat to the title as the United States, particularly on the ATP side, with a full-strength trio coming into the tournament. Top two singles players Cameron Norrie and Daniel Evans will return to the tournament, while Neal Skupski is ninth in the world for doubles and will pose some issues for opponents.

On the WTA side, Katie Boulter will lead the women’s division as the top ranked player and world number 56. She will be supported by 23-year-old Francesca Jones who is ranked 296th in the world, but has crept into the top 150 before just over 18 months ago.

Australia is seeded 15th and will be the underdogs at its home tournament, but present a side that bleeds green and gold. Alex de Minaur becomes a top 10 talent when representing his nation, and there is extra competitiveness set for when he plays Great Britain given he might face current partner Boulter on court. The top ranked Aussie is joined by reliable John Millman, while Matthew Ebden is one of the world’s best doubles players.

Ebden will be able to share the court with either world number one WTA doubles talent Storm Hunter or the current world number 17 Ellen Perez. What that means is, that Australia just needs to find a way to take two singles matches and would arguably be favourites in the doubles. Australia’s women’s singles is headlined by Ajla Tomljanovic with Hunter set to take up the second singles spot.

PREDICTION

This star-studded group could literally go any of the three ways. The United States will deservedly be favourites, but do not be surprised if one of Great Britain or Australia ended up as the wildcard from the Perth group. Great Britain should finish second, but the WTA side is vulnerable and the home team has a strong doubles pairing.