There\u2019s a sense of nostalgia surrounding Team Switzerland at next week\u2019s United Cup, as Belinda Bencic and Stan Wawrinka join forces for the first time in three years.<\/p>\n
At the inaugural edition of the mixed-team event in 2023, Wawrinka served as both player and captain, while Bencic was the team\u2019s highest-ranked singles player.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the same scenario three years on, with Wawrinka taking on the role of playing captain<\/a> and Bencic again the team\u2019s leading singles player, ranked one place higher, at world No.11, than she was three years prior.<\/p>\n The only difference is that Wawrinka and Bencic \u2013 who are joined on Team Switzerland by Jakub Paul, Luca Castelnuovo and Naima Karamoko \u2013 reunite at vastly different junctures in their careers.<\/p>\n TICKETS: Support Team Switzerland in Perth<\/a><\/p>\n Wawrinka is winding down, declaring 2026 his last season on tour after a glittering pro career of more than 20 years. Bencic is ramping up, recognised at the WTA\u2019s Comeback Player of the Year thanks to ending the season \u2013 which she began at world No.487 \u2013 on the brink of the top 10, all while travelling on tour as a new mother.<\/p>\n When Switzerland competes in Perth against France and Italy in Group C<\/a>, fans have twice the number of reasons to buy tickets or tune in: they can watch a resurgent star in full flight while simultaneously farewelling one of the game\u2019s great champions.\u00a0<\/p>\n