United Cup

PHOTOS: Koala selfies for FAA & Mboko, Osaka & Raducanu spot quokkas, Ruud catches waves ahead of United Cup

Several stars made sure to end their 2025 on a fun note ahead of the new season launching Down Under.

By TENNIS.comPublished December 31, 2025

© Getty Images (Ruud, Swiatek), Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour (Auger-Aliassime & Mboko)

The first matches of the 2026 tennis season are nearly upon us, with the United Cup headlining the opening week of action.

Sydney and Perth once again serve as host cities for the round-robin stage of the mixed-gender competition. As players get set to kick off their campaigns, opportunities to take in local culture before the New Year have been sprinkled in with team training sessions.

📲🖥️ Stream the 2026 United Cup on the Tennis Channel App!

United Cup, 2026, Sydney Felix Auger-Aliassime Victoria Mboko — © Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 30: Casper Ruud of Norway paddles on his board during a Team Norway United Cup media opportunity at URBNSURF wave park on December 30, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.(Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) — © Corbis via Getty Images

United Cup, 2026, Sydney Zhizhen Zhang Zhu Lin — © Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Iga Swiatek of Poland during practice ahead of the United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images) — © 2025 Robert Prange

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Maya Joint of Australia during practice ahead of the United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images) — © 2025 Robert Prange

ROTTNEST ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Naomi Osaka of Team Japan takes a selfie with a quokka during a media opportunity on December 31, 2025 on Rottnest Island, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images for Tennis Australia) — © 2025 Getty Images

ROTTNEST ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Emma Raducanu of Team Great Britain takes a selfie with a quokka during a media opportunity on December 31, 2025 on Rottnest Island, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images for Tennis Australia) — © 2025 Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 30: Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz of Team USA play beach tennis with junior players during a Team USA United Cup media opportunity at Cottesloe Beach on December 30, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images for Tennis Australia) — © 2025 Getty Images

Read: What to watch for at the season-opening United Cup

United Cup action launches January 2. Argentina faces Spain in Perth during the opening day session before Japan takes on Greece in the evening.

Come Saturday, both cities will be underway. The U.S. begins its title defense against Argentina at night, while the home favorites open against Norway in primetime.