Germany at the 2026 United Cup
Team Germany is set to participate in the fourth edition of the United Cup, the premier international mixed-gender team tennis tournament, held in Australia in January 2026. Germany enters the tournament as one of the most successful nations in the event’s short history, having secured the championship title in 2024.
Tournament Details
| Attribute | Detail |
| Tournament | 2026 United Cup (4th Edition) |
| Dates | 2 โ 11 January 2026 |
| Host City | Sydney, New South Wales (Ken Rosewall Arena) |
| Format | Mixed-gender team competition (Group Stage, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Final) |
| Defending Champion | United States (2025) |
2026 Team Germany Squad
Germany’s squad for the 2026 United Cup is headlined once again by their top-ranked male player, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, who has been the emotional and on-court leader of the team since the tournamentโs inception. The team combines seasoned doubles expertise with fresh singles talent.
| Player | Role | ATP/WTA Ranking* (Approx.) | Notes |
| Alexander Zverev | ATP Player 1 | No. 3 | 2024 United Cup Champion; Team Leader |
| Eva Lys | WTA Player 1 | (Debut) | Germany’s top-ranked WTA commitment for the event |
| Patrick Zahraj | ATP Player 2 | (N/A) | Singles/Doubles support |
| Laura Siegemund | WTA Player 2 | (N/A) | Crucial mixed doubles specialist; 2024 Champion |
| Kevin Krawietz | ATP Player 3 | (Doubles) | Doubles expert, multiple Grand Slam winner |
| Mina Hodzic | WTA Player 3 | (N/A) | Doubles/Singles support |
Note: *Rankings are approximate based on public announcements.
The 2026 Group Stage โ Group F (Sydney)
Team Germany has been drawn into Group F for the Group Stage, which will be contested at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. The draw sets up what is widely regarded as one of the most challenging groups of the tournament.
| Group F |
| Germany |
| Poland |
| Netherlands |
The tie between Germany and Poland is highly anticipated, as it represents a rematch of the dramatic 2024 final and a clash between two of the most dominant players in the competition: Germanyโs Alexander Zverev and Polandโs Iga ลwiฤ tek (the World No. 2). The format of each tie includes one men’s singles, one women’s singles, and a deciding mixed doubles match.
The likely headline matches for Germany in the group stage are:
- Men’s Singles: Alexander Zverev vs. Hubert Hurkacz (Poland)
- Women’s Singles: Eva Lys vs. Iga ลwiฤ tek (Poland)
- Mixed Doubles: Zverev/Siegemund vs. ลwiฤ tek/Hurkacz (Poland)
Germany must top the group or qualify as the best runner-up in Sydney to advance to the quarterfinals.
๐ฉ๐ช Previous United Cup Performances
Germany has a storied, albeit dramatic, history at the United Cup, culminating in a spectacular title victory in the second edition.
| Year | Final Result | Tie Record (WโL) | Key Players |
| 2025 | Quarterfinals | 1โ2 | Alexander Zverev, Laura Siegemund |
| 2024 | Champions | 4โ1 | Alexander Zverev, Angelique Kerber, Laura Siegemund |
| 2023 | Group Stage | 0โ2 | Alexander Zverev, Jule Niemeier |
2024 United Cup: Champions in a Thriller
The 2024 tournament remains the highlight of Germany’s participation. The team, featuring Alexander Zverev, former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber (in her comeback from maternity leave), and Laura Siegemund, claimed the title after a series of nail-biting, match-point-saving victories.
Path to the Title
Germany’s journey was characterized by high drama and late-night finishes:
- Group Stage: Germany finished second in their group but advanced to the Quarterfinals as the best runner-up in Sydney based on their match/game percentage.
- Quarterfinals & Semifinals: Both the Quarterfinal and Semifinal ties were clinched in the decisive mixed doubles match, often extending well past midnight local time. In the Semifinal against host nation Australia, Zverev and Siegemund saved two match points in the mixed doubles tie-break, securing a marathon victory (15-13 in the deciding match tiebreak). Kerber also saved two match points in her singles win over Ajla Tomljanovic in the same tie, marking her first win back on tour.
The Final: Germany vs. Poland
In the final against Poland, the tie was level at 1-1 after Iga ลwiฤ tek defeated Kerber, and Zverev faced Hubert Hurkacz in the men’s singles. Zverev saved two championship points in the second-set tie-break against Hurkacz to win an epic three-set match and force the deciding mixed doubles. Zverev and Siegemund then partnered again, defeating ลwiฤ tek and Hurkacz to secure the 2-1 tie victory and the title. Notably, all five of Germany’s matches in the knockout stage were decided by the mixed doubles rubber.
2025 United Cup: Title Defense Halted
As the defending champions, Germany (seeded 11th) aimed to repeat their success but faced an early exit.
- Group Stage: Germany managed to win their group ties in Perth.
- Quarterfinals: They were defeated by Kazakhstan, led by Elena Rybakina, which ended their title defense run in the Quarterfinals. Zverev continued his stellar singles form, but a lack of depth and the strength of the opposition proved too much.
2023 United Cup: The Inaugural Event
In the inaugural 2023 edition, Germany was placed in Group C in Sydney. The event marked the return of Alexander Zverev to the court after a severe ankle injury sustained at the 2022 French Open.
- Result: Germany finished last in their group (0-2 tie record), losing to both the eventual champions, the United States, and the Czech Republic.
- Key Matches: Zverev was defeated by Taylor Fritz (USA) in his comeback match, a performance often attributed to rust following his long layoff.
Legacy and Expectations for 2026
Team Germany carries a legacy of resilience and mixed doubles mastery into the 2026 event. With Alexander Zverev at the peak of his career and the addition of the experienced Kevin Krawietz, the teamโs doubles strength remains formidable. Their success will hinge largely on the performance of their female singles players, Eva Lys and Laura Siegemund, especially given the difficult Group F draw that features the world-class Polish team.
๐ก Trivia: The Unforgettable 2024 Championship
The German team’s run to the 2024 United Cup title was one of the most remarkable and dramatic in the history of the young tournament.
- Marathon Men and Women: Every single one of Germany’s five knockout matches (Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Final) was decided by the mixed doubles rubber, demonstrating the critical importance of the Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund partnership.
- Saving the Title: In the final against Poland, Alexander Zverev saved a total of two championship points during his singles match against Hubert Hurkacz to keep the tie alive and force the decisive mixed doubles.
- The Late Show: The Semifinal tie against Australia was a grueling affair. The mixed doubles match, which saw Zverev and Siegemund save two match points, finished at approximately 2:15 a.m. local Sydney time.
- Comeback Queen: The tournament marked the successful return of former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber from maternity leave. Her first singles win came during the thrilling Semifinal against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, where Kerber herself saved two match points to earn the victory.
