The United Cup trophy will be lifted on Sunday in Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena. The stadium’s namesake, Australian legend Ken Rosewall, has enjoyed the inaugural mixed-teams event.
“It’s a new event. The players like the team effect,” Rosewall said. “They seem to have nice camaraderie with everybody. Having the captains and the coaches on the side of the court is something fairly new. “
The United Cup brings together men and women on the same team. The last match of each tie is mixed doubles. Who would Rosewall select as his teammates from his playing days, from both the men’s and women’s sides?
“Rod Laver has the best record of any of the other Australians with his Grand Slam wins, so you’d always think of picking Laver first place there,” Rosewall said. “Hard to go [wrong] with him I suppose.”
The International Tennis Hall of Famer mentioned two women he would select to his team.
“Margaret [Court] certainly has a record that’s hard to beat. The game and the style of play has changed a lot since she was the best player. I think in recent years you’re looking at Ashleigh Barty with how well she did over a short period of time,” Rosewall said. “She had a great record, she did well, and if she continued to play she would have been an icon even moreso for other younger girl players to look up to.
“The best thing about her was she was able to vary [her game] a little bit.”
Rosewall’s favourite match of the tournament has been Alex de Minaur’s victory against Rafael Nadal inside Ken Rosewall Arena.
“It’s a new event. The players like the team effect,” Rosewall said. “They seem to have nice camaraderie with everybody. Having the captains and the coaches on the side of the court is something fairly new. “
The United Cup brings together men and women on the same team. The last match of each tie is mixed doubles. Who would Rosewall select as his teammates from his playing days, from both the men’s and women’s sides?
“Rod Laver has the best record of any of the other Australians with his Grand Slam wins, so you’d always think of picking Laver first place there,” Rosewall said. “Hard to go [wrong] with him I suppose.”
The International Tennis Hall of Famer mentioned two women he would select to his team.
“Margaret [Court] certainly has a record that’s hard to beat. The game and the style of play has changed a lot since she was the best player. I think in recent years you’re looking at Ashleigh Barty with how well she did over a short period of time,” Rosewall said. “She had a great record, she did well, and if she continued to play she would have been an icon even moreso for other younger girl players to look up to.
“The best thing about her was she was able to vary [her game] a little bit.”
Rosewall’s favourite match of the tournament has been Alex de Minaur’s victory against Rafael Nadal inside Ken Rosewall Arena.