Poland crowned United Cup champions in tennis

In a long-awaited achievement, the Polish national team secured the United Cup tennis title after a thrilling 2–1 victory over Switzerland in the final, bringing an end to a series of previous disappointments in the tournament’s decisive match.

This triumph came as redemption for Poland subsequent defeats in the finals of the past two editions, finally awarding them their maiden title in this mixed-team competition held at the start of the new tennis season.

The final began with high drama, as Polish star Iga Świątek opened the contest with a hard-fought singles match against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. Despite a strong start from Świątek, who imposed her rhythm in the first set, she was unable to maintain the same level throughout the match, eventually falling 6–3, 0–6, 3–6.

That loss handed Switzerland an early advantage in the final and placed Poland under significant pressure. However, the Polish response was swift, as Hubert Hurkacz returned in emphatic fashion in the second singles match, marking his first appearance after an absence of nearly seven months due to injury. Hurkacz delivered an impressive performance against veteran Stanislas Wawrinka, sealing a 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 victory to restore parity and push the final into the decisive mixed doubles encounter.

That contest saw the Polish duo Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński display clear chemistry and composure in key moments, overcoming Bencic and Jakob Paul 6–4, 6–3 to spark celebrations in Sydney.

Following the triumph, Świątek expressed her immense joy at the achievement, stating that the team had finally broken the final-stage curse. She said that luck smiled on them on the third attempt, praising the collective spirit and teamwork that defined Poland’s journey throughout the tournament. She also acknowledged that her individual level was not at its best, but felt supported by her teammates and trusted until the very end, which gave her a major morale boost.

This title caps an excellent campaign for Poland in the competition, particularly after their semi-final victory over defending champions the United States. The win also provides Hurkacz with a strong psychological lift ahead of his singles campaign at the Australian Open, which begins on 18 January, where he will look to build on the positive momentum gained in Sydney.

As for Świątek, the six-time Grand Slam champion heads to Melbourne Park facing some challenges, having suffered two consecutive defeats — first to American Coco Gauff in the semi-final, and then to Bencic in the final. Nevertheless, she remains among the leading contenders for the title, given her experience and exceptional technical ability.

Meanwhile, despite her country’s defeat, Bencic returned to the WTA top ten for the first time since giving birth to her daughter. At 28 years of age, Bencic — who welcomed her child in April 2024 — won all five of her matches at the United Cup, including victories over world number two Świątek and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who climbed one spot in the rankings to reach seventh place.

As tennis fans turn their attention to the next big challenges of the season following Poland’s historic United Cup triumph, Betway continues to stand out as the number one betting site in Kuwait, offering a secure and seamless experience for following the world’s top tennis events.