‘Patriotic’ Tsitsipas to represent Team Greece at United Cup 2025

Greek duo Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari will team up again when the United Cup kicks off on December 27 in the 2025 season.

Also returning to lead China and Norway respectively are Zheng Qinwen, winner of the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, and Casper Ruud, number 9 in the world on the PIF ATP rankings.

Tsitsipas and Sakkari helped the Greek team reach the knockout stages in the previous two editions of the tournament, but ultimately without success.

Tsitsipas hopes the strong team culture he and Sakkari have built at the United Cup so far will guide Team Greece in 2025.

“The team that we’ve built with Maria over the last few years is definitely one that gives us a lot of opportunities to be great and do a lot of damage on the field,” he said. “Having the opportunity to have a lot of good individuals on one team gives us a lot of motivation and a lot of reasons to go out there and fight for our best.”

A sense of patriotism brings world number 12 Tsitsipas back to the United Cup time and again.

“Representing Team Greece in a team competition like this at the beginning of the year is something that makes me feel really patriotic and starts the year very strong,” he said. “Knowing that we come from a country rich in history and good traditions and values ​​when it comes to sports is an additional reason to go there and represent tennis, to try to do our best to elevate tennis and bring its highest value to our country.”

Tournament director Stephen Farrow believes the combination of Tsitsipas and Sakkari perfectly captures the atmosphere of the international mixed teams event.

“Tsitsipas and Sakkari qualified Greece for the first two editions of the United Cup. They are both fan favourites and are looking forward to starting their year with us in 2025,” he said.

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“The Greek fans in both Perth and Sydney have supported the United Cup with great passion. They bring an unparalleled energy to support their country’s biggest sporting stars, which is the essence of the United Cup.”

Meanwhile, Zheng, the world number 7, led Team China to a place in the United Cup quarter-finals earlier this year, ensuring China qualified again.

“I am delighted to once again qualify China for the United Cup,” said Zheng, the first Chinese player in history to win an Olympic tennis singles medal. “The United Cup provides a unique opportunity to play for our country in a mixed team environment similar to the Olympic Games, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this experience together.”

Farrow is grateful that a player of Zheng’s calibre has re-entered the United Cup squad.

“Zheng has had an incredible 2024. She reached the Australian Open final in January, won gold in Paris and has maintained her top 10 ranking all year,” Farrow said of the player who also recently reached the US Open quarterfinals. “She’s a great player and a great personality and it’s fantastic to welcome her back to the United Cup.”

Ruud will also be in the tournament, as he will headline Norway’s third United Cup campaign. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten in his singles matches at the last United Cup, leading the Norwegians to the quarter-finals.

“Casper Ruud’s consistent results on Tour have once again enabled Norway to secure their position in the United Cup for another year. Ruud’s early commitment recognises the value of participating in global team competitions,” Farrow said.

The 2025 United Cup begins on December 27 and will see 18 nations compete in Sydney and Perth, with the champions crowned in the final on January 5.

(NEWSLETTER FORM)