The 2024 United Cup will kick off in just a matter of days, and it promises to be a hotly contested team tournament.
Eighteen countries will vie to win the second edition of the United Cup, and there is also a whopping $10 million in prize money up for grabs for all the participating players.
Unlike other team tournaments, the United Cup offers a maximum of 500 ranking points, which could be useful for some players looking to climb the ATP and WTA rankings ladder. Let us analyze the top five favorites to win the tournament.
5. Canada
Canada is emerging as a tennis powerhouse in team competitions. They won their first Davis Cup title in 2022 thanks to the heroics of Felix Auger-Aliassime and recently captured their maiden Billie Jean King Cup title with WTA star Leylah Fernandez playing a blinder. Do not rule them out from completing a three-peat win in a third team competition in three years with the aforementioned duo taking center stage.
4. Great Britain
Great Britain was disappointingly knocked out by eventual winners USA in the Sydney City Finals last season. Cameron Norrie won all three singles matches in the inaugural tournament, but the same couldn't be said of his teammates. Norrie will carry his country's hopes again. They've got plenty of quality in the team this year with the addition of Katie Boulter - the top-ranked British woman.
3. Serbia
When you have the ATP's best player in your ranks, then you know you've got a chance. Novak Djokovic will shoulder the burden for his country. The 36-year-old will be on a mission in 2024 to fill his trophy cabinet with whatever title is missing from his resume. In-form Next Gen star Hamad Medjedovic might also have a role to play for the 13th-seeded Serbian team.
2. USA
The defending champions come in second spot. Although they are a bit understrength compared to last season's title-winning squad, they have retained two central pillars - Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz.
The United States might also afford to give 22-year-old Alycia Parks some game time to keep Pegula fresh for tougher bouts later during the tournament.
1. Poland
The top-seeded nation gets our vote to win the second edition of the United Cup. Poland might not need to rely on their doubles prowess because they have, by far, the most balanced duo in singles.
The presence of WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek and ATP World No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz is a formidable combination, and they'll win plenty of their singles matches. They'll be the team to beat.
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