Nick Kyrgios excited about United Cup mixed event as he predicts ‘some really good entertainment’
Mixed events are “fun to watch” and Nick Kyrgios believes the inaugural United Cup will be no different as “it’s for the fans” and “that’s the most important thing”.
The A$23 million (£13m) tournament will mark the start of the 2023 tennis season in Australia and Brisbane, Perth and Sydney will host matches from January 29 until January 8.
Eighteen countries will take part and it will feature a men’s singles match, a women’s singles match and a mixed doubles encounter with ATP and WTA points on offer.
Host nation Australia are in Group D alongside Spain and Great Britain and they will be represented by Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler, John Peers, Ajla Tomljanovic, Maddison Inglis, Samantha Stosur and Zoe Hives.
Kyrgios, who represented Australia in the Hopman Cup in 2016, is a fan of the mixed-team format.
“I don’t play so much mixed doubles anymore but what I love about mixed doubles is, it’s for the fans. That’s the most important thing,” he said.
“Seeing some of the best females in the world playing with the best males, it definitely provides some really good entertainment, how the male kind of lets the female do her thing on the court and not get in the way.
“That’s fun to watch.”
Besides men and women teaming up in the mixed doubles, there is also the mouthwatering prospect of Kyrgios taking on Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles as the 22-time Grand Slam winner has also signed up for the event.
Other big names who have signed up are world No 1 Iga Swiatek as well as Maria Sakkari, Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, Paula Badosa on the WTA side while Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe join Kyrgios from the ATP side.
The semi-finals and finals will take place at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
The world No 22 added: “It’s just a great event to have, an event where females and males come together as one to represent their nation.
“That’s extremely important. And for the fans. To have all the best athletes from around the world together, I think it’s a very special event.
“We don’t have very many events during the year where both males and females are in the same spot playing the one event together competing for prize money, a top title and representing your country all in one.”
READ MORE: United Cup draw: Spain, Australia, Great Britain in same group as Rafael Nadal against Nick Kyrgios looms
