While results did not quite go her way, Iga Swiatek is off to a winning start in 2026 after Poland won the United Cup.
The two-time finalists finally got over the line this year by beating Switzerland in the final, with Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski emerging victorious in the decisive mixed doubles match to hoist the trophy.
Swiatek, who suffered defeats to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic at the United Cup, will now set her sights on the Australian Open.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
She has secured four Roland Garros titles, a US Open crown, and a Wimbledon championship, but the Pole has never gone all the way in Melbourne.
Following Poland’s triumph, Swiatek provided a fitness update ahead of her pursuit of a Career Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek says she is ‘super sore’ after her United Cup campaign
In her post-match press conference, she said: “Everything is fine. Just super sore. I guess first tournament of the year, it costs the body a bit differently than during the season. But I had similar experience last year also.
“I’ll just get good recovery, couple days off. Also I know these team events. I love them but they really take a lot of energy from you.
“I still need to figure out how to balance that maybe in the future (smiling). I get so excited on the bench, yeah, it’s almost like playing a match honestly.
“Yeah, it’s all good. I for sure physically wasn’t in the second set the best version of myself. Belinda really used it to push me. For sure, I’ll try to get that covered for Australian Open and we’ll see.”
Swiatek played five singles matches at the United Cup and won three of them, overcoming Maya Joint, Eva Lys and Suzan Lamens.
Iga Swiatek’s reaction to winning the United Cup
Poland had lost in the final two years in a row prior to their win on Sunday, having fallen to Germany in 2024 and the US in 2025.
As per the United Cup website, Swiatek said: “Finally, we made it, third time lucky. I really felt it was a team effort this year.
“Hubi [Hurkacz], what a comeback after so many months. You played amazing. You inspired us all with determination.
Who is your dark horse for the 2026 Australian Open?
“I feel you improved every part of your game. Our doubles team, wow! You just beat everyone. It was amazing.”
Hubert Hurkacz enjoyed a fantastic return to competitive tennis at the United Cup following a knee injury that kept him sidelined for a large portion of 2025.
He beat three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in the final to help Poland on the way to victory.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
