Novak Djokovic discovers United Cup rivals as Alex de Minaur-Katie Boulter love story faces group of death ‘test’

Novak Djokovic could face rising star Jiri Lehecka as well as Zhang Zhizhen at the United Cup next year while power couple Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter could go up against each other.

The draw for the $10 million mixed-team event was made on Monday and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic will headline Serbia’s quest for the title while world No 2 Iga Swiatek is the highest-ranked woman in the draw as she will lead Poland’s charge.

But the two main attractions have been kept apart in the draw as Poland have landed in Group A along with Spain and a yet-to-be-determined team.

Tennis great Djokovic’s Serbia are in Group E alongside the Czech Republic – who will have Lehecka in their ranks – and China, who will be able to call on Zhang.

The teams in Group A and Group E will play their group matches in Perth along with the teams from Group C, which can be considered the group of death as it features the defending champions the United States, hosts Australia as well as Great Britain.

And added to the spice is the fact that power couple De Minaur and Boulter will be on opposing teams as they will line up for Australia and Great Britain, respectively, and they could potentially face each other in the mixed doubles.

“Officially enemies now,” Australian De Minaur wrote on an Instagram Story.

Boulter replied: “Well this is going to end well.”

Even former Australian Davis Cup captain Wally Masur got involved in the fun as he joked that their relationship will face a test.

“It could be the end of a beautiful relationship,” he said during the draw in Sydney.

“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.”

Reigning champions, the United States, will be able to call on Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula

Those who will play in Sydney feature teams from Group B, Group D and Group F.

Greece, Canada and a yet-to-be-determined team line up in Group B while France, Italy and Germany make up Group D with Croatia, the Netherlands and Norway in Group F.

Greece will once again have Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari in their squad while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez are on Canada’s list of representatives.

Germany, meanwhile, will have former world No 1 Angelique Kerber – who will play in her first event after becoming a mother this year – along with Alexander Zverev.

PERTH
Group A
Poland
Spain
WTA TBC

Group C
United States
Great Britain
Australia

Group E
Czech Republic
China
Serbia

SYDNEY
Group B
Greece
Canada
ATP TBC

Group D
France
Italy
Germany

Group F
Croatia
Netherlands
Norway