"Any team event is great for the game" - Frances Tiafoe on United Cup

| by Jamie Malachy

Frances Tiafoe is the latest in a succession of tennis voices to express their excitement at the prospect of the inaugural United Cup, due to take place at the start of next season.

The new curtain-raising tournament of the tennis season will see the WTA and the ATP join forces in a much-anticipated mixed-gender competition, one that will include ranking points for both tours.

ATP & WTA Tour to unite at United Cup in Australia with $15 million in prize money
ATP & WTA Tour to unite at United Cup in Australia with $15 million in prize money

While it should be noted that the US still need to qualify in order to take part, Tiafoe is already relishing the prospect of competing on behalf of his country.

"First off, any team event is great for the game,” he said. "To see players come out for each other, get out their comfort zone, I think fans will enjoy it. And then, guys and girls playing together is great. I think it will only help their Tour and ours. I think everybody wins. There are some high-level girls playing the game, especially Americans right now. I’d love to be a part of this team, support them, play next to whoever, that would be a lot of fun. Hopefully I can be there".

The current World No. 17 went on to say that he doesn't mind who else is picked to represent the United States at the tournament, and that he shares a good relationship with most of his compatriot tennis players.

"I’m very chill with everybody to be honest with you,” Tiafoe said. “I would love to play with Coco; that would be super cool. I’m really close to Jessica as well, so that would be cool. I would love to play with her especially, because she always ditches me at the [US] Open [smiles]".

The new mixed-gender format is a revival of the popular Hopman Cup, which was inexplicably axed after its last edition in 2019.

As the current season draws to a close, and eyes turn their focus to the start of the next, the buzz surrounding the United Cup is getting palpably stronger.

"Those are important events to have" - Kyrgios talks new United Cup
"Those are important events to have" - Kyrgios talks new United Cup

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