Poland has officially secured its first-ever United Cup championship, triumphing over Switzerland with a 2-1 victory in the final held in Sydney on Sunday, January 11th, 2026. This momentous win marks a significant achievement for Polish tennis on the international stage. The tie began with an unexpected upset as Belinda Bencic of Switzerland defeated world number two Iga Świątek in a hard-fought three-set match, giving Switzerland an initial advantage.
Belinda Bencic’s outstanding performance throughout the tournament, remaining undefeated in both singles and mixed doubles, earned her the prestigious United Cup Finals Most Valuable Player award. Her singles victory over Świątek set a challenging tone for the Polish team.
Poland quickly responded to the early setback in the men’s singles match. Hubert Hurkacz delivered a strong performance, defeating Stan Wawrinka in another three-set contest to level the overall tie. This victory was particularly significant for Hurkacz, marking his successful return to competitive play after a considerable seven-month absence due to knee surgery.
The championship title ultimately hinged on the mixed doubles match. Poland’s formidable duo, Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski, proved too strong for Switzerland’s Bencic and Jakub Paul, securing a decisive 6-4, 6-3 win to clinch the United Cup for Poland.
Iga Świątek expressed her immense relief and joy following the victory, stating, “We’ve finally made it. Third time lucky,” referencing Poland’s previous two runner-up finishes in the United Cup. She emphasized the profound team effort that led to this year’s success, highlighting the remarkable comeback of Hubert Hurkacz and the exceptional play of the doubles team.
Hubert Hurkacz echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the profound significance of the win for Polish tennis. “I’m kind of speechless. It’s really incredible… a massive day for Poland, for Polish tennis. We showed how strong we are as a Polish country in tennis,” he commented, underscoring the national pride associated with this historic achievement.
What is the United Cup? The United Cup is a prestigious team tennis tournament featuring mixed gender teams representing their nations, played annually at the start of the season. It combines men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles matches to determine a champion.
This championship victory marks the culmination of an impressive campaign for Poland, who had advanced to the final by defeating the reigning champions, the United States, in a thrilling semifinal encounter. The team’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the tournament.
How to watch United Cup tennis? Fans can typically watch the United Cup matches on major sports broadcasting networks and streaming services that cover international tennis events, often including ESPN, Tennis Channel, or their international equivalents depending on the region.
The Polish team’s journey to the title was characterized by strong individual performances and remarkable team chemistry, demonstrating their prowess across all disciplines of the game. This win is expected to inspire a new generation of Polish tennis players.
Poland’s triumph in the 2026 United Cup signifies a new era for the nation in team tennis, solidifying their position among the world’s elite.
The mixed doubles pairing of Kawa and Zielinski demonstrated exceptional synergy and skill, proving to be the decisive factor in the final match and securing their place in Polish tennis history.
This victory caps off a remarkable season for Polish tennis, with its players consistently performing at the highest level in major international competitions.
