In the brief history of the United Cup, Poland has emerged as one of the very best performers at the mixed teams event.
It is the only country to progress beyond the group stages in all three previous editions, and is second only to the United States in terms of historic win-loss record, winning in 11 of its 14 outings.
But unlike the US, two-time champions in the competition, Poland has suffered heartbreak with consecutive runner-up finishes.
Led by singles superstars Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, Team Poland came within one point of the glittering trophy in 2024 before succumbing to Germany in a thrilling contest in Sydney.
After they fell to the United States in the 2025 final at Ken Rosewall Arena, two years after losing to them in the semifinals, Polish captain Mateusz Terczynski gave a supportive shout-out to his team during the on-court presentation.
“I’m really proud of them, and I wanna just say today, to Iga and Hubi, you’re amazing champions, but what’s more important, you’re really amazing people,” he said. “I just want to thank you for all this week, for the whole team, and yeah, we’re gonna try to get it next year.”
Team Poland returns in 2026 to attempt just that, again led by Swiatek and Hurkacz.
Although Hurkacz has not played since June after undergoing knee surgery, Swiatek completed another excellent season by triumphing at Wimbledon – her sixth Grand Slam title – and finishing a fourth consecutive season with more than 60 match wins and inside the top two.
And she’ll enter United Cup 2026 with plenty of motivation, given ultimate representative success has so far eluded her.
She came close to her dream of an Olympic singles gold medal for Poland at the Paris 2024 Olympics – staged at her happy Roland Garros hunting ground – yet fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.
“Yesterday was one of the toughest losses I remember in my career,” Swiatek reflected after rebounding to win the bronze medal. "It’s sport, it’s tennis, [and] usually I am good to understand it’s just one part of my life.
“But this time it was like someone really broke my heart. It’s crazy."
And Swiatek also came close to Billie Jean King Cup success, guiding Poland to the 2024 semifinals before she and teammate Katarzyna Kawa fell in a live doubles rubber to eventual champions Italy.
With two runner-up finishes at the United Cup in the rear-view mirror, Swiatek will be hoping for third time lucky in 2026.
“I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event,” said Swiatek, who owns a sparkling 12-2 record in United Cup singles matches.
“This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”
She also forms a formidable mixed doubles partnership with Hurkacz, who is excited at the prospect of returning to the court for his first competitive outing in seven months.
“I really enjoy the team atmosphere and the opportunity to represent our country,” he said. “And I really love coming to Australia and of course the Australian people.
“I really, really like the atmosphere there.”
One of three teams, along with Australia and Great Britain, confirmed for the 2026 event, Poland will learn the group into which it will fall, and the city in which it will play, at the official draw ceremony on Monday 17 November.
It is the only country to progress beyond the group stages in all three previous editions, and is second only to the United States in terms of historic win-loss record, winning in 11 of its 14 outings.
But unlike the US, two-time champions in the competition, Poland has suffered heartbreak with consecutive runner-up finishes.
Led by singles superstars Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, Team Poland came within one point of the glittering trophy in 2024 before succumbing to Germany in a thrilling contest in Sydney.
After they fell to the United States in the 2025 final at Ken Rosewall Arena, two years after losing to them in the semifinals, Polish captain Mateusz Terczynski gave a supportive shout-out to his team during the on-court presentation.
“I’m really proud of them, and I wanna just say today, to Iga and Hubi, you’re amazing champions, but what’s more important, you’re really amazing people,” he said. “I just want to thank you for all this week, for the whole team, and yeah, we’re gonna try to get it next year.”
Team Poland returns in 2026 to attempt just that, again led by Swiatek and Hurkacz.
Although Hurkacz has not played since June after undergoing knee surgery, Swiatek completed another excellent season by triumphing at Wimbledon – her sixth Grand Slam title – and finishing a fourth consecutive season with more than 60 match wins and inside the top two.
And she’ll enter United Cup 2026 with plenty of motivation, given ultimate representative success has so far eluded her.
She came close to her dream of an Olympic singles gold medal for Poland at the Paris 2024 Olympics – staged at her happy Roland Garros hunting ground – yet fell in the semifinals to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.
“Yesterday was one of the toughest losses I remember in my career,” Swiatek reflected after rebounding to win the bronze medal. "It’s sport, it’s tennis, [and] usually I am good to understand it’s just one part of my life.
“But this time it was like someone really broke my heart. It’s crazy."
And Swiatek also came close to Billie Jean King Cup success, guiding Poland to the 2024 semifinals before she and teammate Katarzyna Kawa fell in a live doubles rubber to eventual champions Italy.
With two runner-up finishes at the United Cup in the rear-view mirror, Swiatek will be hoping for third time lucky in 2026.
“I love being part of the team and have great memories of playing this event,” said Swiatek, who owns a sparkling 12-2 record in United Cup singles matches.
“This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year.”
She also forms a formidable mixed doubles partnership with Hurkacz, who is excited at the prospect of returning to the court for his first competitive outing in seven months.
“I really enjoy the team atmosphere and the opportunity to represent our country,” he said. “And I really love coming to Australia and of course the Australian people.
“I really, really like the atmosphere there.”
One of three teams, along with Australia and Great Britain, confirmed for the 2026 event, Poland will learn the group into which it will fall, and the city in which it will play, at the official draw ceremony on Monday 17 November.
