Alex de Minaur and Olivia Gadecki spearhead Australia’s United Cup team to face Great Britain in the group stage in Sydney.
Melbourne, Australia, 21 October 2024 | Dan Imhoff
Alex de Minaur and Olivia Gadecki will lead Australia into battle against Great Britain and a yet-to-be-determined nation in the group stage of the 2025 United Cup in Sydney following the release of the draw on Monday.
The Australian team, which also includes top-10 doubles players Ellen Perez and Matt Ebden, as well as reserves Destanee Aiava and Omar Jasika, was pitted in the same group as Great Britain for the second year running.
It reprises a burgeoning rivalry between world No.10 De Minaur and the 22-year-old Brit, Jack Draper, which the Australian leads 3-1.
Draper soared into the top 20 after he delivered the knockout blow to an injury-impaired De Minaur in the US Open quarterfinals in September for his maiden Slam semifinal.
This is gonna be gooood 🏆@sydney_sider #feelnewsydney @WestAustralia #WATheDreamState pic.twitter.com/Nar8mjkCAX
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) October 21, 2024
The Australia v Great Britain showdown also raises the possibility that De Minaur could come up against his girlfriend Katie Boulter should both contest the mixed doubles when the two nations meet at Ken Rosewall Arena in January.
“Jack’s a really tough player. He’s on the rise, he’s got better and better the last three years now,” Australia’s Davis Cup coach Lleyton Hewitt said. “He has a lot of firepower; it’s going to be a tough match.
“He and Alex have had some battles in the past. Alex wasn’t at his best at the US Open physically by quarterfinals time, [but] he’s had his number in the past where Alex has won quite a few times.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for Alex first up for sure, and then Katie at a career-high ranking at the moment as well – for Olivia it’s a great opportunity to play on Ken Rosewall Arena and get exposure against these top-line players.”
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Former world No.1 Hewitt said he was particularly impressed with De Minaur’s evolution as a player this season given the top-ranked Aussie had added layers to his game.
The prospect of opening 2025 against world No.18 Draper was exactly the tough hit-out he desired in a group that would also feature one of the final two teams to be added in late November.
“He’s able to still…
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