Team Poland is the 2026 United Cup tennis champion.
After a heartbreaking two years of finishing as the runner up to the United States in 2025 and Germany in 2024, this was a true team effort.
Led by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, the doubles play of Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski is what clinched it for them.
Incredible scenes in KRA 🤩
Poland are the 2026 United Cup Champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ampW4dTcNt
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 11, 2026
Kawa and Zielinski defeated defending champions Coco Gauff and Chris Harrison in the semfinals on Saturday and followed it up with a gutsy win over the blazing hot Belinda Bencic who was 9-1 in the tournament in singles and doubles and Jakub Paul. Bencic, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, was named the tournament MVP.
While Swiatek may be disappointed with back-to-back losses against Gauff and Bencic in consecutive days, she is relishing in the much deserved win that comes after years of anguish.
Hurkacz has been another great story from this event, playing outstanding tennis and looking healthy for the first time in quite a while.
Hubert Hurkacz blasting out of the gates in 2026 after seven months sidelined is a real heart-warmer
✅ Zverev in 2
✅ Griekspoor in 2
❌ De Minaur in 3
✅ Fritz in 2Inspirational pic.twitter.com/xvz7OB8jjV
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 10, 2026
If he stays in form, those in his Australian Open draw should be deeply concerned.
While on the losing end, the same can be said for Bencic who defeated Elise Mertens, Iga Swiatek, and Jasmine Paolini as Team Switzerland surged under player captain Stan Wawrinka.
The United Cup has been in existence since 2023, and Poland has been in three of the four finals. The Polish fanbase was out in force including a nun in the audience cheering and praying for a win.
While tennis is a solo sport the majority of the season, the players thrive in the team environment, playing for their respective countries. The mixed doubles component of the event is what sets it apart from the WTA and ATP Billie Jean King and Davis Cup team events.
