With the stage set, Team Australia is determined to deliver in front of its home fans in Sydney this week at the United Cup. The home nation, led by Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic, will play Team Great Britain and Team Spain in a stacked Group D.
“I think everyone is excited to kick off the year here in Sydney,” vice-captain Samantha Stosur said on Wednesday. “We've got amazing players on this team. Alex [de Minaur] is one of the best players in the world. [Jason] Kubler has had an incredible year as well, qualifying for a couple of slams.”
The World No. 24 De Minaur will compete as the men’s No. 1 singles player at the 18-country mixed-teams event for Australia and will face Cameron Norrie and Rafael Nadal in Sydney. The 23-year-old is excited to test himself against the world’s best at the start of the season in the city he grew up in.
“For me, it's a great opportunity,” De Minaur said. “I've got two great matches. I'm playing Cameron Norrie and Nadal. It's a great test for me. I'm excited to put myself out there. It's going to be great to play on home ground, in front of friends and family, hopefully an electric atmosphere.”
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Nadal enjoyed a record-breaking season last year, winning four tour-level titles, including Grand Slam trophies at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. The World No. 2, who will play his opening match on Saturday, is relishing the chance to join forces with his countrymen and women.
“It's always different when you play [as a] team," Nadal said. "We are used to playing Davis Cup or Fed Cup. It is nothing 100 per cent new, but at the same time , it's the first time that we share forces between men and women. [It is] going to be exciting.
“I think we can create a good team atmosphere, and hopefully we can start well because we know we have a very tough group.”
Paula Badosa will compete alongside Nadal in Australia. She feels the connection and camaraderie Team Spain has created will help them taste success at the event.
“I think it's very important to stick together when you play as a country,” Badosa said. “Making a good atmosphere. I think what we have in Spain is that we have very competitive players, fighters. I think we will show that from the beginning.”
Great Britain also plays in Group D, with Tim Henman captaining his nation. He believes the move to integrate the ATP and WTA Tours at the United Cup is hugely beneficial and important for the sport.
“I think it's a massive attribute to our sport to have these combined events. There are so few sports that are able to do that,” Henman said. “I'm very much looking forward to it. I think we've got a great team.”
With Norrie the highest-ranked player in Great Britain’s team at No. 14 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Henman will look to the 27-year-old to help drive his nation to victory.
“It's great playing as a team, playing for your country,” Norrie said. “Even if you come unstuck in your first match, you've got another match to play as well. You get to support some of the other teammates. I love the team events. I know everybody does. It's kind of my first-ever combined event, so I'm looking forward to watching the girls play as well.”
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