Team USA has been the team to beat throughout the United Cup’s short history.
In 2023, with Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, Frances Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula, the Americans swept Poland in the semifinals, before defeating Italy 4-0 in the final to claim the inaugural trophy.
World No.3 Coco Gauff then debuted in 2025, and went on to defeat a determined Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-4 in the final to put the red, white and blue within striking distance of a second United Cup title – cemented when Fritz finished the job against Hubert Hurkacz.
Gauff returns in 2026, alongside Fritz, aiming to go back-to-back at an event with an impressively stacked field in January.
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“I’m super excited to go back to the United Cup,” Gauff said. “I had such a good time in my first year playing with the team, and I’m looking forward to going back.”
It was another stellar season for the 21-year-old, who ended her third consecutive season inside the top three – making her the youngest woman to do so this century.
In Paris, she added a Roland Garros trophy to go with her first major title at the US Open in 2023, as well as a WTA 1000 title in Wuhan.
Gauff’s total career titles stand at 11, but what’s often overlooked is her remarkable doubles record; the former world No.1 partnered with fellow American McCartney Kessler to win the Canadian Open, marking her 10th career doubles crown.
Due to their individual dominance at United Cup 2025, the Fritz–Gauff partnership wasn’t showcased as often as fans might have hoped. But when they did team up, it was electric.
In one of last year’s standout matches, the pair outlasted Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez in a thrilling, winner-takes-all mixed doubles clash that stretched well past midnight.
“It’s almost more fun to win the team events because you have people to celebrate with afterwards,” said Fritz, who – armed with an Olympic bronze medal in doubles and three Laver Cup trophies as part of Team World – is no stranger to team competition.
“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,” he said.
Fritz has enjoyed another consistent season, finishing it firmly entrenched inside the top 10.
The 28-year-old won two titles on grass before a semifinal run at Wimbledon, reached the quarterfinals at the US Open, and qualified for the ATP finals for the third time in his burgeoning career.
On paper, Team USA will start as firm favourites when navigating the group stages against Spain and Argentina. Should they get through that, scenarios become more intriguing.
Whether it’s Świątek trying to push Poland over the hump, Canada seeking revenge behind a flourishing Auger-Aliassime and teenage sensation Victoria Mboko, Great Britain’s star duo Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, a Naomi Osaka-led Japan, or Alex de Minaur hungry to win it all on home soil, the Americans will compete with a bullseye on their backs.
At United Cup 2025, Gauff made waves with her now-iconic shovel celebration. “I just dug deep and, you know, got that win. Yeah, I got the shovel out,” she explained.
If Team USA are to repeat as champions, they may need to keep that shovel handy.