With an all-star playing field competing in front of electric crowds, the first-ever United Cup was the gift that kept on giving.
It opened the international tennis season with a bang. Blockbuster battles, highlight reel-worthy shot-making, the emergence of new stars, thrilling mixed doubles, plus the unique format and atmosphere, meant there were no shortage of highlights.
Reflecting on the best of the best, it makes the 2024 event all the more exciting to imagine.
Shots Of The Year – In Week 1
Few players move as well on a hard court as Iga Swiatek, and the Polish star showed why with her sneaker-screeching effort to slide into a backhand and play a winner around the net post.
It came in Brisbane during a mixed doubles win with Hubert Hurkacz, a successful Polish partnership which is expected to resume at the United Cup in 2024.
Across the country in Perth, Adrian Mannarino produced his own moment of genius with a staggering ‘tweener winner, which saw his French teammates, and the crowd, all leap from their seats.
Sydney Sizzles For Spain v Australia
Few things move tennis tickets faster Down Under than top Australian players, and Rafael Nadal.
Put those two things together, and you get a packed crowd in Sydney.
Ken Rosewall Arena crackled as Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur took on the 22-time major champion, a barnstorming three-setter that De Minaur won to clinch his first ever victory over Nadal.
From his reaction, it was obvious ‘Demon’ was just as amped-up as the crowd.
Alex de Minaur defeats Rafael Nadal at the 2023 United Cup. Credit: David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Team Greece Shines In Perth
Led by top-10 stars Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Team Greece sealed its place in the Final Four by winning a thrilling City Final over Croatia.
With scores locked at 2-2 after four singles matches, the contest boiled down to a deciding mixed doubles match.
There, Tsitsipas and Sakkari – an all-star pairing who have both peaked at world No.3 in singles – held off Petra Martic and Borna Gojo to send their squad to Sydney.
Their Greek teammates rushed the court to celebrate with them – an enduring image from the 2023 event.
Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2023 United Cup. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Top 10 Tussles
Like Greece, Team Poland and Team USA were each blessed with two top-10 singles players in their line-ups, making for the perfect scenario when both countries qualified for the Final Four in Sydney.
It meant fans were treated to heavyweight battles as both teams strived for a place in the final – including an all-top-five clash between world No.3 Jessica Pegula and top-ranked Swiatek.
Pegula stunned Swiatek 6-2 6-2 in one of the finest performances of her career, giving an early boost to the United States. No.9-ranked Taylor Fritz then overcame 10th-ranked Hurkacz in a tighter 7-6(5) 7-6(5) tussle, to give his American team an unassailable lead and a place in the final.
Jessica Pegula defetas Iga Swiatek at the 2023 United Cup. Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
U-S-A!
Team USA carried their momentum into the final, beating Team Italy to be crowned inaugural United Cup champions.
Again, it was Fritz sealing the winning point – this time over Matteo Berrettini – and it led to memorable celebrations among the team.
Team United States celebrates winning the 2023 United Cup. Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
The United States’ genuine camaraderie and depth within its squad – Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys joined Fritz and Pegula as singles stars – proved the winning formula and showed exactly why the inaugural 2023 event was so compelling.
Teams in 2024 will no doubt have noted the USA’s blueprint for success.
