Hurkacz, after winning the United Cup 2026: “It’s a huge day for Poland and Polish tennis”

The United Cup 2026 has a new champion, Poland, a team that finally turned their accumulated experience into a title after falling in the previous two finals. In Sydney, the Polish team faced ten days of maximum demand, culminating in a historic victory that reinforces the growth of tennis within the country. Led by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, and supported by a united team both on and off the court, the Polish team raised a very special trophy. 

A title built from the group

The first to speak about the victory was the team captain, Mateusz Terczynski, emphasizing the special nature of the triumph after two failed attempts. “This is our third final, and this one feels especially good, especially with a team like this, all united and supporting each other no matter what happens. It has been a true collective effort. I can only thank everyone; we are super happy,” commented the captain. 

This sentiment was shared by Hubert Hurkacz, one of the standout players of the tournament, especially in his first event back from a serious injury that kept him away from the court for 7 months. “It’s amazing, obviously on a personal level, but it is also a huge day for Poland and for Polish tennis,” said Hurkacz, finding it hard to put into words. “It’s something unique and wonderful to have demonstrated how strong we are as a country in this sport. Lifting this trophy feels incredible, especially after coming so close twice,” he commented. The team’s top male player also emphasized the internal atmosphere as a key factor for the final victory: “I am very grateful to the whole team, how we supported each other, stayed together, and enjoyed the competition.”

“These team events consume a lot of energy”

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek focused on the competitive value of the tournament as preparation for the Australian Open and the accumulated strain. “I love these team events, but they consume a lot of energy. I still need to learn how to balance it better in the future. I get very excited on the bench, almost as if I were playing a match,” she admitted. The Polish player acknowledged that her body did not respond as she would have liked in the match against Bencic. “It was a mix of losing intensity and not feeling as sharp in movements and with my legs. Physically, I wasn’t as accurate anymore. Belinda is a very aggressive player when she gets on a roll. She can hit very hard and make few mistakes,” explained Iga. The focus for the Polish player is now on the first Grand Slam of the year: “There’s not much time if I also want to rest, but that’s tennis: you have to adapt.” 

The duo Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski sealed victory for Poland in the mixed doubles. “There was nothing to prove here. I was only playing for the country and the people on the bench,” Zielinski stressed when asked about possible changes in the mixed doubles format, as seen in the past at the US Open. “I have always been proud to represent Poland. It was about lifting a trophy together that we felt had been waiting a long time,” concluded the specialist. Kawa, instrumental in closing the first set with a spectacular volley, also expressed her pride in the victory. “It’s always worth being brave in crucial points, especially in doubles. It was an instinctive decision; I just went for it,” she explained. 

Poland thus becomes the third champion of the United Cup after the double win by the United States (2023, 2025) and Germany’s victory in 2024. A triumph as awaited as it was deserved, having reached the final in the last three editions (including the 2026 one), and supported by the outstanding figures of Swiatek and Hurkacz, it will aim to further spread the love for tennis within the country. 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Hurkacz, tras vencer en la United Cup 2026: “Es un día enorme para Polonia y el tenis polaco”