{"id":21498,"date":"2026-02-06T10:47:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T02:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/?p=21498"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:47:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T02:47:51","slug":"united-cup-perth-2026-wrap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/news\/2026\/02\/06\/united-cup-perth-2026-wrap","title":{"rendered":"United Cup Perth 2026 Wrap\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The United Cup was back for a\u00a0fourth\u00a0time showcasing equality at the highest level of the sport, with over 63,000 spectators\u00a0cheering\u00a0on\u00a0international tennis in Perth. Continuing with the format West Australian\u2019s know and love, the format continued to be a hit with each tie determined in one session as well as including one men\u2019s\u00a0singles\u00a0and one women\u2019s singles match featuring the No.1 ranked singles players, followed by one mixed doubles match.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perth was treated to world class tennis\u00a0once\u00a0again with\u00a0the likes of world no.\u00a06\u00a0Taylor Fritz (USA) and\u00a0up and coming stars like Flavio\u00a0Cobolli\u00a0(ITA)\u00a0as well as retiring greats in Stan Wawrinka\u00a0(SWI)\u00a0in the men\u2019s, while the women\u2019s side also featured strong competition with world no. 3 Coco Gauff (USA), Jasmin Paolini (ITA) and\u00a0overall\u00a0United Cup\u00a0MVP\u00a0Belinda Bencic (SWI).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perth was drawn with the number one seeds USA which featured Taylor\u00a0Fritz\u00a0who returned to Perth for the\u00a0third time and\u00a0second\u00a0timer Coco Gauff.\u00a0Popular teams\u00a0Greece, Spain\u00a0and\u00a0Great Britain\u00a0returned to Perth after previously attending the tournament in past years.\u00a0New to Perth were team Switzerland, Italy, France,\u00a0Argentina\u00a0and Japan.\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0likes of Grand Slam winners Emma Raducanu\u00a0and\u00a0Naomi Osaka\u00a0and in form players such as Belinda Bencic and Jasmin Paolini\u00a0were crowd favourites.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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January 07: Stan Wawrinka (SUI) during the Quarter Final match between Switzerland and Argentina at the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena Wednesday January 07, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ MATT JELONEK<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The United Cup started with the inaugural\u00a0United Cup – Perth Celebrity\u00a0\u20181\u00a0Point Slam\u2019\u00a0before the Spain v Argentina tie. Celebrities included influencers\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0Ozzyman\u00a0Reviews, AFL and AFLW stars Andrew Gaff, Ash Brazill,\u00a0Orlagh Lally,\u00a0Janelle\u00a0Cuthberson,\u00a0Hockeyroos star Amy Lawton,\u00a0and former athletes such as Brad Hogg and Mark Worthington plus a few fellow local WA State League talent. In the end, local\u00a0player and current college tennis player for Lander University\u00a0Brendan\u00a0Jayaprakassh\u00a0won\u00a0and got the chance to go to Melbourne to qualify for the AO 1 Point Slam.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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January 02: The winner of the One Point Slam at the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena on January 02, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ MATT JELONEK<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Following on from the success of last year,\u00a0more than\u00a0140\u00a0kids and\u00a036 coaches across\u00a018\u00a0coaching businesses\u00a0received the opportunity to have a hit on centre court with\u00a0their\u00a0Hot Shots Kids before the start of each day\u2019s play.\u00a0This is an important\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to inspire the next generation of\u00a0players.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coaching businesses\u00a0including\u00a0<\/span>Tennis Excellence, Tennis Factory, Tennis HQ, Tiny Tots Tennis, Tennis Approach, Ace-It Tennis, The Tennis Pro,\u00a0Perth Performance Tennis Academy, Tennis Academy Perth, Moore Tennis, Europe Tennis Academy, Break Point Tennis,\u00a0Instyle\u00a0Tennis Management and Play Tennis<\/span><\/b>\u00a0all\u00a0participated\u00a0in the activation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, regional\u00a0coaching providers,\u00a0<\/span>Megan Henry Tennis, Keith O\u2019Brien Tennis & Albany Tennis Academy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0were involved with\u00a0kids from throughout\u00a0regional WA\u00a0including players from\u00a0Albany,\u00a0Lake Grace,\u00a0Narrogin,\u00a0Wickepin,\u00a0Corrigin, Beverley,\u00a0Darkan, Mt Barker, Highbury,\u00a0Tenterden,\u00a0Williams,\u00a0Wagin\u00a0and\u00a0Dumbleyung.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/em> January 5: HotShot Kids on Court during the match between USA and Spain at the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena Monday, January 5, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ STEFAN GOSATTI<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Tennis West Tennis Development Officer \u2013 Coaching Joel Pleydell said \u201cThis opportunity is all about creating memorable experiences for the kids, parents, and club coaches. To have a hit on centre court at RAC Arena makes the kids feel like the pros for the day. Hopefully one day in the future\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0get to step out on RAC Arena at the United Cup and be a ball-kid, referee or even play for their country.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On\u2011court interviews at the United Cup have become a powerful showcase of Tennis West’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, highlighting Blind and Low Vision tennis, wheelchair pathways, and LGBTQIA+ visibility alongside the sport\u2019s rising stars. Jackson, one of our young First Nations players, shared his tennis journey while\u00a0showcasing\u00a0the cultural gift exchange our First Nations Training Squad players designed for each visiting team. The message sticks, made\u00a0of\u00a0Mungart\u00a0Boorna\u00a0(Raspberry Jam Gum Tree) from the Northern area, were painted on with the stories of the young players’ journeys through tennis and life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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January 1: Presentation to team Captains by indigenous children prior to the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena Thursday, January 1, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ TREVOR COLLENS<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

In\u00a0collaboration\u00a0with the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, Tennis West once again delivered United Cup Coin Toss opportunities for\u00a0KidSport\u00a0recipients ahead of each match. In addition, a small group of children from Perth Children\u2019s Hospital were invited to be part of the United Cup excitement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the six-day event, 30 KidSport participants and three Perth Children\u2019s Hospital children enjoyed an unforgettable, up-close experience with their sporting heroes while\u00a0witnessing\u00a0world-class tennis courtside.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This exclusive opportunity included taking part in the official coin toss, receiving\u00a0a Hot\u00a0Shots\u00a0Crew t-shirt and hat, meeting\u00a0players\u00a0and chair umpires on court, keeping the commemorative coin, and receiving a professional photograph to capture the moment. To further enhance the experience, each child was also joined courtside by a parent, allowing families to share in the atmosphere and excitement of the United Cup together.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tennis West received over 200 applications in June for kids aged 12 to 16 years of age to become ball kids at the United Cup. Trials were held during the year with 72 ball kids selected and split into three squads.\u00a0at the conclusion of the United Cup in Perth, Sam Mitchell\u00a0and Makaya\u00a0Moylan\u00a0were\u00a0awarded the Summer of Tennis Leadership Award for best ballkid and\u00a0participate\u00a0as a\u00a0ballkid\u00a0at the Australian Open.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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January 6: A general view of Ballkids at the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ MARK PETERSON<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

While there was plenty of action on the court, there was lots of action\u00a0off court\u00a0with Tennis West running an activation zone inside the\u00a0arena as\u00a0well as outside where there\u00a0were\u00a0mini games\u00a0such as\u00a0table tennis,\u00a0an interactive hit the target game,\u00a0cultural\u00a0performances\u00a0and live music.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inside the arena, Speed Serve was introduced for the first time, allowing fans to test themselves against other fans to see who could hit the fastest serve.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kids completed a tennis passport where they had to find their local tennis club, guess the amount of tennis balls, have a hit with friends or coaches on the hot shot\u00a0court,\u00a0and write a message of support to the players.\u00a0Over\u00a0four thousand\u00a0kids\u00a0participated\u00a0in the passport\u00a0and\u00a0postcards\u00a0to players.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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During the United Cup, Tennis West hosted\u00a0various\u00a0breakfast\u00a0functions to connect the event to the local tennis community.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The teacher\u2019s breakfast was attended by more than 150 teachers before the\u00a0Great Britain and Japan\u00a0tie.\u00a0The\u00a0Tennis West Schools team then delivered a presentation about the upcoming schools\u2019 programs we have on offer in\u00a02026.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0President\u2019s breakfast was well received with over 150 club representatives and guests in attendance before the\u00a0Italy and France\u00a0tie. Guests were joined by Head of\u00a0Tennis\u00a0Participation\u00a0Kay-Leigh\u00a0Nicholas\u00a0and Tennis West CEO Olivia Birkett.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Women Leaders in Tennis function, led by Tennis Australia\u2019s Women and Girls Coordinator for WA, Melanie Willows, provided an opportunity for 80 women leaders and coaches to hear from international netballer Caitlin Basset about her career. The women enjoyed networking over a light breakfast, followed by a day session at the United Cup.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the Coaches breakfast saw\u00a015\u00a0coaches awarded their certificates after graduating from\u00a0the\u00a0Trainee Coach Course,\u00a0Development Coach\u00a0Course\u00a0and\u00a0the Club Pro Course.\u00a0The participants\u00a0shared a great breakfast together at the\u00a0Rydges\u00a0Hotel, reflecting\u00a0on the journey so far, and acknowledging\u00a0the passion these coaches bring to our sport every day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To top it off, coaches were awarded tickets to watch Spain vs Argentina\u00a0at the United Cup \u2014 a well-deserved experience to celebrate their achievements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Spectators were treated to some incredible tennis over the six days with the USA and\u00a0Switzerland\u00a0advancing to the semi-finals in Sydney after defeating\u00a0Greece and Argentina\u00a0respectfully.\u00a0The United Cup proved to be more popular than ever as domestic\u00a0broadcast was up 36%\u00a0on\u00a0last year\u2019s United Cup\u00a0with over\u00a015 million hours\u00a0watched year on year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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January 4: A general view of crowds at the United Cup in Perth at RAC Arena Sunday, January 4, 2026. Photo by TENNIS AUSTRALIA\/ MARK PETERSON<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

For the players who\u00a0participated\u00a0and\u00a0represented\u00a0their countries in the United Cup, 46 played in the Australian Open singles main draw with 40% of players reaching at least the third round and five reaching the quarterfinals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A big thank you to the staff, volunteers, ball kids and officials for the\u00a0hard work\u00a0and countless hours that were dedicated to ensuring the event was a success and an unforgettable experience for the players and the Perth tennis community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The United Cup was back for a\u00a0fourth\u00a0time showcasing equality at the highest level of the sport, with over 63,000 spectators\u00a0cheering\u00a0on\u00a0international tennis in Perth. Continuing with the format West Australian\u2019s know and love, the format continued to be a hit with each tie determined in one session as well as including one men\u2019s\u00a0singles\u00a0and one women\u2019s singles match featuring the No.1 ranked singles players, followed by one mixed doubles match.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6359,"featured_media":21506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6359"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21498"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21498\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}