Tsitsipas, Sakkari and more stars confirm their participation in the United Cup 2025 | ATP Tour

United Cup

Tsitsipas, Sakkari and more stars confirm their participation in the United Cup 2025

The tournament starts on December 27th

September 18, 2024

Greeks Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari will team up again during the United Cup, which will kick off the 2025 season on December 27.

Paris Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen and PIF ATP Rankings World No. 9 Casper Ruud will also return to lead China and Norway respectively.

Tsitsipas and Sakkari have helped Greece reach the knockout stages in the previous two editions of the tournament, without achieving ultimate success.

Tsitsipas hopes the strong team culture he and Sakkari have built so far in the United Cup will keep the Greek team in good stead for 2025.

“The team we’ve built with Maria over the last few years is definitely one that gives us a lot of opportunities to do great things and create a lot of damage on the field,” she said. “Having the opportunity to have a lot of good individuals within a team gives us a lot of motivation and a lot of reasons to go out and fight for the best.”

Patriotism continues to drive world number 12 Tsitsipas to play in the United Cup.

“Representing Team Greece in a team competition like that at the beginning of the year is something that allows me to be really patriotic and start the year off very strong,” he said. “Knowing that we come from a country rich in history and good traditions and values ​​when it comes to sport is one more reason to go out and represent tennis, try to do my best to elevate tennis and bring its maximum value to our country.”

Tournament director Stephen Farrow believes the combination of Tsitsipas and Sakkari perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of the international mixed-team event.

“Tsitsipas and Sakkari qualified Greece for the first two editions of the United Cup. Both are fan favourites and are looking forward to starting their year with us in 2025,” he said.

“Greek fans, both in Perth and Sydney, have supported the United Cup with great passion. They bring unrivalled energy to supporting their country’s biggest sporting stars, which is the essence of the United Cup.”

Meanwhile, Zheng, the world No. 7, led Team China to a quarter-final spot at the United Cup earlier this year and has secured China’s qualification once again.

“I am thrilled to be able to qualify China for the United Cup again,” said Zheng, the first Chinese player in history to win an Olympic singles tennis medal. “The United Cup presents a unique opportunity to play for our country in a mixed team environment, similar to the Olympic Games, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this experience together.”

Farrow is grateful that a player of Zheng’s quality has once again committed to competing in the United Cup.

“Zheng has had an incredible 2024. She reached the final of the Australian Open in January, won gold in Paris and has maintained her top 10 ranking throughout the year,” Farrow said of the player who also recently reached the US Open quarter-finals. “She’s a great player with a great personality, and it’s fantastic to welcome her back to the United Cup.”

Ruud will also be taking part in the tournament, as he will spearhead Norway’s third United Cup campaign. The 25-year-old went undefeated in his singles matches at the last United Cup and led the Norwegians to the quarter-finals.

“Casper Ruud’s consistent results on Tour have allowed Norway to once again secure its position in the United Cup for another year. Ruud’s early commitment recognises the value of participating in global team competitions,” said Farrow.

The 2025 United Cup kicks off on December 27 and features 18 countries competing in Sydney and Perth. The champions will be crowned at the final on January 5.