What major tennis tournament was held in Perth and Sydney, Australia, from January 2-11, 2026?

The major tennis tournament held in Perth and Sydney, Australia, from January 2-11, 2026, was the United Cup. This innovative event serves as a dynamic start to the professional tennis season, bringing together top male and female players from around the globe to compete in a unique mixed-gender team format. It provides an exciting prelude to the Australian Open, allowing athletes to fine-tune their game and earn valuable ranking points.

The United Cup was launched in late 2022, replacing the men's-only ATP Cup, and draws inspiration from the popular Hopman Cup, a mixed-gender tournament previously held in Perth. A significant aspect of the United Cup is its pioneering role as the first mixed-team competition to offer ranking points for both the ATP (men's) and WTA (women's) tours. Players have the opportunity to earn a maximum of 500 ranking points, making it a highly contested event for those looking to improve their standing early in the year.

The tournament format for the 2026 edition involved 18 national teams, each composed of both men and women. The competition began with a group stage, with matches played across two Australian cities: Perth and Sydney. Teams competed in a round-robin format within their groups, with each tie consisting of men's singles, women's singles, and mixed doubles matches. The top teams from the group stage advanced to the quarterfinals, with the semifinals and final exclusively held in Sydney.

The 2026 United Cup, the fourth edition of the event, saw intense competition from January 2 to January 11. The group stage matches took place in Perth at RAC Arena and in Sydney at Ken Rosewall Arena. Ultimately, Team Poland emerged victorious, defeating Team Switzerland in the final held in Sydney. The tournament featured many of the world's highest-ranked players, making it a must-watch event for tennis enthusiasts.