United Cup Predictions: Gauff & Fritz lead USA to title, Swiatek & Zverev star

Oli Dickson Jefford 26 Dec 2024 12:45 PM

L-R: Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Zverev

Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Zverev are in United Cup action.

The new year doesn’t begin for almost a week but the 2025 tennis season officially gets underway this Friday.

Some of the biggest names across both the ATP and WTA Tours will be in action at the United Cup, the mixed-team event spread across both Perth and Sydney.

Eighteen nations are battling it out to win the title in just the third edition of the event and, ahead of the opening matches on Friday, we make some pre-tournament predictions.

USA lift title

With key names absent, the United States failed to meet expectations at both the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup Finals back in November.

However, that is not the case at the United Cup, with both ATP and WTA national No 1’s – Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff – both set to be in action in Perth.

Fritz and Gauff both finished 2024 in fine form and are among the highest-ranked players in action, and their presence makes the US favourites in a group that pits them against potential dark horses Canada and Croatia.

With WTA singles world No 11 Danielle Collins and doubles star Desirae Krawczyk also in the US squad, the top seeds have strength and depth that almost no other nation can match.

The US won the title back in 2023, and on paper, they are a safe bet to regain their title in 2025.

Germany’s admirable defence

Anchored by ATP world No 2 Alexander Zverev, Germany were tournament champions a year ago – beating Poland in an enthralling final.

Zverev and Laura Siegemund – who starred in the doubles in 2024 – are back as the nation looks to defend its title this time.

Having finished 2024 as one of the form players, Zverev can be expected to be among the toughest players to face this event, and ATP doubles star Tim Putz is also a significant string in the nation’s bow.

Germany faces a favourable group versus China and Brazil and, while they are perhaps not the leading title contenders this time around, do expect them to go deep into the event.

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What about Swiatek and Poland?

World No 2 Swiatek was arguably the ‘MVP’ of the United Cup 12 months ago, with the Pole going 5-0 in singles action as Poland just missed out on the title.

However, the 23-year-old heads into this event having not won a title since her fourth Roland Garros triumph in June and comes in off the back of her controversial one-month ban.

How Swiatek will fare physically and mentally remains to be seen, and a group-stage match against Czechia’s Karolina Muchova will be a significant early test.

But, alongside ATP Tour star Hubert Hurkacz, Poland do have good depth, and expect Swiatek to perform admirably as Poland embarks on another strong run.

De Minaur leads home charge

Australia always received raucous support on home soil and the nation’s run to the last four in 2024 – where they narrowly fell to Germany – was among the biggest talking points a year ago.

Alex de Minaur was the nation’s key player at that event, memorably beating Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final, and he will prove vital for their chances once again.

Australia faces an initial group with Argentina and Britain, with Olivia Gadecki set to lead the nation’s line in women’s singles action.

The withdrawal of leading British ATP star Jack Draper arguably makes the hosts favourite to progress; expect them to reach the last eight at the very least.