Canadian tennis has quietly built a strong reputation in major team events in recent history.
From finishing as runners-up at the Davis Cup in 2019 to lifting the trophy in 2022, and claiming a maiden Billie Jean King Cup title the following year, to winning the Hopman Cup in July this year, the nation has demonstrated an ability to harness its star power on the international stage.
Yet despite this record, Team Canada has so far only made a limited impact at the United Cup.
That could change in January. With Félix Auger-Aliassime producing some of the most consistent tennis of his career and teenage champion Victoria Mboko set for her debut, 2026 gives the Canucks a realistic shot at adding to their trophy cabinet.
TICKETS: Cheer on Team Canada in Sydney
Lost in the hot finish to Auger-Aliassime’s season was a Hopman Cup finals win over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. At the time, the 25-year-old sat at world No.27 and had suffered second- and first-round exits at the Australian Open and Roland Garros respectively.
But after a gripping 6-7(9) 7-5 10-8 victory in national colours over Cobolli, Auger-Aliassime put together one of the best stretches of his career: a Cincinnati Masters quarterfinal, US Open semifinal, Shanghai Masters semifinal, Brussels title, Paris Masters final and a semifinal at the ATP Finals.
“[I feel] back where I belong. Back where I feel like I can play with more consistency,” said Auger-Aliassime, who ended the year inside the top five.
“It's a great progression I've had this year. I've always believed that since I was a kid, my ambition was to win Grand Slams and be No.1 in the world. I've had ups and downs, but honestly, through it all, I always believed I could be there.
“I still believe today. Now it's a matter of doing the right things to improve. If I do, we'll see where that leaves me.”
Auger-Aliassime has enjoyed success in team formats alongside top-ranked compatriots such as Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez. At the United Cup in 2026, he joins forces with Mboko, the 19-year-old who produced one of the standout stories of the season.
Entering the Canadian Open ranked No.85, Mboko defeated Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka en route to her first WTA 1000 title.
She ended the season with two titles – a second coming in Hong Kong – and 60 wins, rocketing from world No.350 to No.18 in 12 months. Her incredible rise was recognised by her hometown of Burlington, Ontario, which honoured her with keys to the city.
At the United Cup, ‘Vicky’ will meet Belgium’s Elise Mertens and China’s Zhu Lin, with potential mouthwatering matchups against Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka looming if Canada advances.
“I know I have to really bring out some good tennis to beat these good players, and then again, I'm still learning in the same way,” she told Olympics.com.
“There’s so many unique styles of play, and I'm playing with the top now, so I'm going to be winning, losing a lot of matches, and if I have to find my rhythm and stuff, it can take me a while.
“I'm still excited, and it's a privilege to play against these kinds of players.”
Team Canada heads Down Under with two top-20 players trending upward.
Whether that will be enough to challenge two-time champions USA, or an Iga Swiatek-led Poland – eager to break through after placing runners-up twice in the last three years – remains to be seen.
