Aussie tennis fans rejoice as legend Rafael Nadal signs on to spend more time down under while headlining new national team competition featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars
Tennis great Rafael Nadal will be the star attraction at the United Cup on local shores come December as he launches his Australian Open title defence.
Women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek will also open her 2023 campaign at the inaugural ATP/WTA tournament, alongside fellow top 10 ranked stars Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia and Maria Sakkari.
Other notable entries include Norway’s world No.4 Casper Ruud, Germany’s Alexander Zverev, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Stan Wawrinka, along with dual Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.
Greece have been confirmed as top seeds, with Sakkari to join heart-throb Stefanos Tsitsipas on court.
Exactly where in Australia Nadal and company will play remains unknown at this stage, with matches to be staged in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth from December 29 through to January 8.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal will be the star attraction at the United Cup on Australian shores come December
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas will also feature, with matches in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth
The draw will be announced online at 2pm on Thursday.
Spanish legend Nadal claimed his 21st grand slam singles title at Melbourne Park in January before snaring a record 22nd major at the French Open.
The United Cup will feature mixed teams from 18 countries, with each tie comprising two men’s and two women’s singles matches and a mixed doubles contest.
Each team will include up to four men and four women.
Preliminary rounds will be held at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena, the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney and RAC Arena in…
Source : dailymail
