United Cup: Agnieszka Radwanska and Iga Swiatek - A promising duo?
Agnieszka Radwanska andIga Swiatek will represent Poland at the United Cup. In different roles.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Dec 24, 2022, 06:11 pm
While large parts of the population are currently enjoying the Christmas season, the tennis entourage is planning a trip to Australia these days. The starting signal for the United Cup, which will initially take place in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, will be given on December 29th. The final four of the team competition, which was held for the first time, will then take place in Sydney.
The number one in the women's world rankings, Iga Swiatek , will first be honored in Brisbane. Poland landed in group B and will compete with Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Swiatek and Co. can count on prominent support, as Agnieszka Radwanska, a former world number two, will take a seat on the Polish coaching bench.
Radwanska expects top tennis
"It's definitely very exciting," said Radwanksa before the tournament began . The 2012 Wimbledon finalist, who wants to coach the Polish team to victory together with her husband Dawid Celt, prepares for top tennis right at the start of the season: "I think it's going to be a really big tournament. We can't wait."
On the men's side, the Poles can count on world-class man Hubert Hurkacz, among others. "It will also be a challenge for me to coach such good players as Iga and Hubert," said Radwanska. "Playing is one thing but sitting on the bench is another. I don't know which is harder to be honest. We'll see."
Will the format be a problem for Poland?
The format could tip the scales for Poland: two women and two men as well as a mixed doubles will compete in each international match. Neither Daniel Michalski (world rankings 260th) nor Magda Linette (world rankings 48th), who are number two in the competition according to the current schedule, are among the absolute world leaders.
But Radwanska sees no reason for concern: "They know that they are strong, that they are good, that they can combine all their strengths and win events like this." From a Polish point of view, the starting shot will be given on December 31 with the first two games against Kazakhstan.