- United Cup kicks off at Perth's RAC Arena today
- Event brings the world's top-ranked tennis
players to WA for an exciting week of competition
- WA leg of the tournament will feature top
players including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Team Australia
- Last year's event attracted thousands of
spectators and injected millions of dollars into the WA economy
The world's top tennis
players have hit the court at RAC Arena today with the United Cup in Perth
running from Friday, 29 December - Wednesday, 3 January.
World No.1's Novak
Djokovic (Serbia) and Iga Świątek (Poland) are two of the big names competing
in the Perth United Cup matches, which features 18 mixed tennis teams led by
the world's best female and male players.
Sydney and Perth will
each host nine teams - three groups of three countries - who will compete in a
round robin format for a minimum AUD$15 million in prize money and 500 ATP and
WTA ranking points.
Perth will also host local favourites Team Australia and
defending champions Team USA, featuring world No.5 Jessica Pegula and world
No.10 Taylor Fritz.
The Perth groups include Group A (Poland, Spain, Brazil),
Group C (USA, Great Britain, Australia) and Group E (Czech Republic, China,
Serbia).
The United Cup in Perth
will culminate in two quarterfinals on Wednesday, 3 January, with two teams to
progress to the semi-finals in Sydney, which are taking place from Saturday, 6
January.
The tournament, which
returns to Perth for its second year, is expected to see tennis fans from
across Australia flock to Western Australia throughout the busy summer holiday
period.
The event also invites
tennis players to experience some of the best activities WA has on offer, showcasing
the State to global fans through activities highlighted in the broadcast and
through players' social media.
Last year's inaugural
event set the tournament up for future success in the State, attracting
thousands of spectators to RAC Arena throughout the busy summer holiday period,
and injecting millions of dollars into the WA economy.
Tickets are available for Perth matches, including the quarterfinals on
Wednesday, 3 January, at ticketek.com.au/unitedcup
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The inaugural United Cup was a
major success for WA, and we are very excited to see this year's event once
again bring out-of-state fans to Perth to see some of the world's best tennis
action at RAC Arena.
"To have
the United Cup both close out a massive year of sport and kick off a new one
over the New Year is very exciting, and a testament to all the work our
Government has done to build the State's reputation as a hub for international
sport.
"Events
like the United Cup elevate WA's reputation as a world-leading host of major
sporting and cultural events and showcase our beautiful State on a global
stage."
Comments
attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
"We
know how passionate Australians are about their tennis, so we're very excited
to be a host city again for this fantastic tournament.
"With many
Western Australians enjoying their Christmas break, it's the perfect
opportunity to head out for the day or evening with the family or friends to
see some world-class tennis right here in Perth and see the likes of World
Number No.1's
Novak
Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, as well as our beloved Team Australia."
