SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, January 5, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
Camaraderie has always been a strong point for Team USA at the United Cup. On Sunday evening, it was on display throughout the duration of the title tie between the United States and Poland. From first ball to last ball, there was plenty of support given to both Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz by their teammates and encouragement from U.S. team captain Michael Russell.
Together, the dynamic duo of Gauff and Fritz combined to lift the Americans to a 2-0 victory over Poland inside Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. It was the second United Cup title in three years for the United States, while the Americans handed Poland its second consecutive United Cup runner-up finish. A year ago, Poland lost the title tie to Germany.
Euphoria #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/IDAZLUm1ly
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
“Just incredible effort, competitiveness, and just the will to win,” Russell said during his team’s final news conference, about an hour after Gauff and Fritz defeated Polish stars Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz in a pair of intense, dramatic matches. “I mean, it’s just refuse to lose. Coco just dug in, Taylor dug in, you know, all week.
“Tough matches. They played great. Energy from the bench was amazing. Just really proud of the whole team and to become successful and have the trophy at the end.”
CHAMPION SELFIE #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/4oPlMd7oly
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
The World No. 3 Gauff defeated World No. 2 Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 52 minutes that gave the United States a 1-0 lead. Then, World No. 4 Fritz clinched the tie victory after beating World No. 16 Hurkacz, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4), weathering the storm in a two-hour, 18-minute battle that was dominated by the serving prowess of each player, in which they combined for 30 aces (13 by Fritz and 17 by Hurkacz). Both won 80 percent or more of their first-serve points, and there were just two service breaks converted (one by each competitor).
Afterward, Gauff, who went 5-0 and did not drop a set all tournament was named Most Valuable Player of the United Cup in her debut. En route, she defeated Leylah Fernandez of Canada, Donna Vekic of Croatia, Zhang Shuai of China, Karolina Muchova of Czechia and Swiatek. Her win over Swiatek was her second straight over the former World No. 1. Earlier, Gauff beat Swiatek in group play at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last November.
TEAM USA THIS IS YOUR TIME @Taylor_Fritz97 | #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/cEr7r9i8Z2
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
In her on-court interview after prevailing over Swiatek in their much-anticipated showdown, Gauff spoke confidently when she said: “I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat.
“Today, I think I played some great tennis. I’m glad I was able to get a point for Team USA. It was tough today, I’m not gonna lie.”
Gauff won four of the final five games to capture the opening set in a matchup of speed and power against Swiatek. Then, down 3-4 in the second set, Gauff broke Swiatek twice in the last three games to close out the victory. She won 74 percent of her first-serve points, converted five of eight break points and outpointed Swiatek 70-60.
“Coco played amazing,” Swiatek said during her team’s news conference after the tie, “and she’s, for sure, improving.”
Digging DEEP @CocoGauff | #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/9nP2VHSF24
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
Next, Fritz stepped up and delivered against Hurkacz. He simply gave everything he had. While points were even at 96 each, Fritz struck 13 aces and won 82 percent of his first-serve points. He overcame a 0-2 deficit to pull out the tie-break in the deciding final set.
“Taylor had some chances; I had some small chances, as well,” Hurkacz admitted afterward, during his team’s news conference. “At the end, he won, so I definitely will learn from it and will take the positives and also improve certain things.”
The moment @Taylor_Fritz97 took it home for USA ‼️#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/HD5eTYvthn
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
Meanwhile, during the trophy ceremony, Fritz, who was a member of the 2023 U.S. team that won the inaugural United Cup title, shared in the celebration with his American teammates Desirae Krawczyk, Danielle Collins, Denis Kudla, Robert Galloway and Gauff. “It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s almost more fun to win the team events because you have people to celebrate with afterwards. Coco made it easy for me as the MVP on the team. It definitely helped my job a lot and it’s great to get it a second time. …
“Thanks to my whole team, unbelievable support. The team vibes all week have been amazing. That’s one of the things that made our team so great. We really came together as a team this week.”
Gauff added: “It’s great to win a team event, the only team event I’ve ever won. So, I’m super excited.”
HEAR IT FOR TEAM USA #unitedcup pic.twitter.com/CDqQhBFQNn
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 5, 2025
Around the United Cup
American Denis Kudla, a 16-year veteran of the ATP Tour, announced his retirement from pro tennis Sunday. “This journey has come to an end. I want to thank everyone who made this ride something special for me, no matter how big or small the role in my life,” the 32-year-old Kudla wrote on Instagram. “Every memory will be something that I cherish forever and will always be proud of.
“I could have never imagined what this life could give me and where it has brought me. A blond-haired, backward hat-wearing kid from the DMV [District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia] going on to be a professional tennis player for 16 years! I am forever grateful to this sport I love.”
Denis Kudla (far right) with Team USA (photo: Tennis Australia/Matt Jelonek)
Fellow American Frances Tiafoe, a close friend of Kudla, who trained together in College Park, Maryland, wrote: “DK man congrats on a dope career. I really appreciate you bro. More than you can ever imagine. You truly helped me believe that being a pro can be a reality. Especially coming out of the DMV, where there is only a handful [of] guys to ever do it. Thanks for giving me game and support … Nothing but love you …”
Kudla reached a career-high ranking of No. 53 on May 23, 2016 and reached the third round of Wimbledon in singles and quarterfinals in doubles. He finished with a win-loss record of 72-132 in singles on the ATP Tour with zero titles and earned more than $4.6 million in prize money. On the ATP Challenger Tour circuit, Kudla went 251-159 and won nine titles.
In his final pro match, Kudla teamed with Desirae Krawczyk to win a mixed doubles rubber for Team USA during their 3-0 semifinal tie victory over Team Czechia Saturday evening. Next, Kudla will join the team of fellow American Reilly Opelka as a coach.
.@desiraekrawczyk & Denis Kudla wrap up a 3-0 victory for Team USA over the Czech Republic. pic.twitter.com/6x2k2gSCmv
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 4, 2025
By the numbers
In the three-year history of the United Cup, this was the first time the Top-2 seeds (No. 1 seed United States and No. 2 seed Poland) had met in the final of the event. Both advanced to the final with 4-0 win-loss records in ties. The United States, which won the inaugural United Cup in 2023, has become the first nation to win the title for the second time.
“Quotable …”
“I’m really happy with how I played today. I knew how important it was to get that 1-0 start. I just dug deep and, you know, got that win. Yeah, I got the shovel out. That was the theme of the week. Just happy that first United Cup, first W, it’s feeling good.”
– Coco Gauff of the United States, during her team’s post-match news conference Sunday after the U.S. defeated Poland, on looking back at her performance against Iga Swiatek.
