Serena, Federer headline Hopman Cup lineup

By Cody FitzpatrickPublished October 03, 2018

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The Hopman Cup has announced its full lineup of 2019 teams, and, in a surprising change from the last two years, the United States will be represented by Serena Williams and Frances Tiafoe.

Greatness returns to #Perth. @serenawilliams is flying the US flag for the fifth time and is joined by @FTiafoe. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/7PGPtYgBTm
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) October 3, 2018

To make things even more interesting, the Americans are scheduled to play the defending champions—Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic's Switzerland—on the evening (Perth, Australia, time) of Jan. 1.

Defending champions @rogerfederer and @BelindaBencic are returning to the @MastercardAU #HopmanCup. Give them a warm welcome back to @WestAustralia. #justanotherdayinWA pic.twitter.com/nVJhTJiXqq
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) June 26, 2018

The tournament will likely be Williams' first appearance since the US Open, with the 23-time Slam champion having already shut down her 2018 season.

The USA and Switzerland are in Group B, which also includes the new Greek team of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari ...

Team Greece is coming to the @MastercardAU #HopmanCup 🇬🇷

Give @StefTsitsipas and @mariasakkari a big @westaustralia welcome. #justanotherdayinWA pic.twitter.com/VtyvQYEzQB
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) August 14, 2018

And Great Britain's Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie.

In the hunt for their first #HopmanCup title, Team GB will be represented in Perth by @cam_norrie and @KatieBoulter1. Debut appearances for these two rising stars. pic.twitter.com/gC1PQSCJi9
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) October 3, 2018

Group A includes France, with Alize Cornet and Lucas Pouille ...

There have been 32 players to represent France at the #HopmanCup. In 2019, the tally hits 33 with @la_pouille making his debut and the return of 2014 champion @alizecornet. pic.twitter.com/XEdzwlG5uJ
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) October 3, 2018

Spain, with Garbine Muguruza and David Ferrer ...

Vamos for Team Spain 🇪🇸@GarbiMuguruza and @DavidFerrer87 will make their debut at the @MastercardAU #HopmanCup in 2019. @WestAustralia #justanotherdayinWA pic.twitter.com/1VkPIqJxZU
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) August 14, 2018

Germany, with Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber ...

Finalists in 2018, Alexander Zverev and @AngeliqueKerber are coming back to represent Team Germany at the @MastercardAU #HopmanCup. Can they go one better in 2019? pic.twitter.com/pu7nibHaWA
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) June 26, 2018

and Australia, with Ashleigh Barty and Matthew Ebden.

Third time lucky for Team Australia? @ashbar96 and @mattebden are pumped and ready to take Perth by storm. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/E4UOQiaQW0
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) October 3, 2018

The Hopman Cup begins on Dec. 29, with Team USA playing its first match on Dec. 31.