SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, December 31, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
One of the most interesting and exciting aspects of the United Cup mixed teams event, which is taking place this week in the Australian coastal cities of Sydney and Perth, has been the inclusion of mixed doubles.
Several group ties, including Monday’s between last year’s runner-up Poland and Norway, have been decided by the crucial outcome of the mixed doubles rubber.
At Ken Rosewall Arena, with plenty of fans cheering for both teams, the score was tied 1-1 after singles on the strength of respective wins by Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud of Norway. After a brief respite, the two stars were on opposite sides of the net facing each other in mixed doubles.
As it happened, Swiatek, who is World No. 2 in singles, was partnered with experienced men’s doubles specialist Jan Zielinski, ranked 25th. They faced a formidable team comprised of Ruud, who is World No. 6 in singles, and Ulrikke Eikeri, a 38th-ranked doubles player.
At the conclusion of an hour and 17 minutes of riveting action, Swiatek and Zielinski held on for an exciting 6-3, 0-6, 10-8 victory, which lifted Poland to a 2-1 tie victory and kept them in contention for a quarterfinal berth in Group B. The loss eliminated Norway (0-2) from advancing. Next, Poland (1-0) will face the Czech Republic (1-0) on Wednesday with the winner advancing to the knockout stage of the week-long ATP/WTA event.
On another LEVEL
Team Poland secures the victory to take the tiebreak 2-1 over Team Norway! #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/ETKsEbCUPx
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
“It’s still the old year, so I’m happy to finish it like that,” Swiatek said during an on-court interview she shared with Zielinski. “I’m really happy that I could play with Jan and show our game. It was pretty tight, but I’m happy that at the end we stepped up the level and we finished it so Poland could win.”
Zielinski added: “Even though the second set was 0-6, we knew it was very close. It was a matter of single points, deciding points, 0-30 we had a couple times. We knew this could change at any moment.
“They had their momentum at some point, 8-7 serving, Casper, so we were not in the ideal position. But we stayed tough, we showed some good returns and best tennis when it mattered, so I’m happy with the outcome.”
The 23-year-old Swiatek, who led the Hologic WTA Tour in singles match wins (59) and titles (5) during the 2024 season, began her new campaign looking sharp. With her new coach Wim Fissette looking on from Team Poland’s on-court box, Swiatek overpowered Malene Helgø of Norway, 6-1, 6-0. She needed just 62 minutes to win her season debut before returning later on for mixed doubles. On Wednesday, she will play World No. 22 Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in singles and likely will pair again with Zielinski in mixed doubles.
She’s BACKKKKKK! @iga_swiatek defeats Helgo in straight sets and gets the first win for Team Poland! #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/friDGBZ81M
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
While things look very promising for Swiatek on the singles horizon, during Poland’s post-match news conference Monday evening, it was her mixed doubles triumph with the 28-year-old Zielinski that she was most eager to talk about.
“I’m happy that I could play with Jan because we never played together,” Swiatek said. “Mixed doubles is always, like, a fun game for me. So, I’m happy that I can play, like, without any expectations – just focusing on really enjoying tennis and trying to return some men’s serve. It wasn’t as good as last year, so I need to keep up my game.”
At the conclusion of their victory over the Norwegians, Swiatek spoke to Ruud at the net. All was good between them.
“I said it is fun to play against his forehand because I always loved his forehand, you know,” she said.
PUTTING ON A SHOW!
Swiatek/Zielinski defeat Ruud/ Eikeri in an incredible tiebreaker 6-3, 0-6, 10-8. #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/H7dtwmFCEf
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
Swiatek was asked by a reporter if winning a number of baseline rallies against Ruud during the match tie-break gives her confidence going forward, including in her singles game, because of her on-court success on Monday.
“Well, you know, it was just a couple of rallies. So, I wouldn’t say it has a lot to do with singles, but I know that on the baseline I can do a lot,” she said, “So, I’m happy that in those important moments I could hold it a little bit longer than before I think, and I’m happy that I kind of didn’t panic because at first since I haven’t played mixed doubles in a while. I thought, like, I need to do more than usual. Then I just tried to play my game, and that was the right choice.
“Yeah, for sure, singles is a bit different. I’m excited for our match with Czech Republic because with Karolina we always have tight battles. I’ll try to prepare tactically, and I’ll be ready.”
Smiling from the sidelines @iga_swiatek #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/sDaDhNJLtO
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
As the news conference neared its conclusion, Swiatek was asked about the Polish crowd in Sydney that backed her and Zielinski as well as Hubert Hurkacz during his singles match with Ruud.
“Well, honestly Polish people are always amazing,” Swiatek admitted. “I don’t take it for granted, but I get used to Polish people being there on the stadium to support us.
“Honestly, I was a bit confused with Casper’s surname because apparently, they were shouting ‘Ruud,’ and I heard they were boos. I’m sorry for that. I misjudged it totally.
“But, yeah, if they were saying ‘Ruud, I think it was kind of even in terms of the support, and this is what makes our game I think the most interesting when also the crowd is kind of involved.
“I already played some matches that were even better because of that, so for sure the atmosphere helped us. It’s always exciting, you know. Honestly this is why I love playing team events and especially United Cup because we have different atmosphere, and I really enjoy that.”
Team Poland’s first tie in the bag! #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/3CgEdFgTyQ
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
When Swiatek sat for an earlier news conference with her Polish teammates last Friday, she was bubbling with enthusiasm. “As you can see, I’m really treated well. I love to be part of the team,” she said. “I think our last years’ experiences were great and I have great memories.
“This tournament is different. It brings more excitement than normal tournaments we play during the year. I hope we’re going to repeat these nice emotions and just have a good experience.”
