The United Cup will be the event that kicks off the 2024 season on Oceania soil. This mixed tournament, which brings together the best male and female players from the ATP and WTA circuits, will take place between December 29th and January 7th in the cities of Sydney and Perth.
However, the news is the new format announced by the authorities for this tournament, which had its first edition in 2023. For next year, in the first instance, each city will host nine teams, three more than the previous tournament. In addition, each country will be made up of up to three men and up to three women.
The countries will be divided into six groups of three and will compete in a round-robin format. As for the innovations for 2024, each tie will be determined in a single session that will include one men's singles match, one women's singles match (both with the highest ranked players from each country), and a mixed doubles match.
The winners of the groups in each city will advance to the quarterfinals and a spot will be given to the best second-placed team from the Perth group and the Sydney group.
This tournament will also offer a prize money of 15 million Australian dollars, as well as awarding 500 points for the ATP and WTA rankings. The draw will take place on Monday, October 23rd, which will reveal in which city each country will start their season.