The German tennis team said goodbye to the United Cup with a bitter bankruptcy.
On the night of Tuesday (January 3rd, 2023) the selection of the German Tennis Association in Sydney lost 0: 5 to the USA. One day after the defeats of Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Jule Niemeier, Oscar Otte and Laura Siegemund also lost their singles as well as Siegemund and Daniel Altmaier in the final mixed.
While Germany after the 2:3 against the Czech Republic and the 0:5 against the United States was eliminated last in Group C, the USA qualified first in the new competition and will meet Great Britain there.
Just one set win
At the end of the group phase, Siegemund lost to Jessica Pegula 3:6 and 2:6 and Otte to Frances Tiafoe 5:7 and 4:6. The mixed Siegemund/Altmaier managed to win at least one set in the 7:6 (7:5), 4:6 and 7:10 against Pegula/Tiafoe.
The day before, Zverev had already suffered significant defeats with 1: 6, 4: 6 against Taylor Fritz and Jule Niemeyer against Madison Keys with 2: 6, 3: 6.
Preparing for the Grand Slam
In six groups of the new competition for women and men in preparation for the Australian Open (January 16th to 29th), a total of 18 nations will fight for progress, the winner will be determined in the final on January 8th.
The United Cup is also about world ranking points and a total of 15 million US dollars (14.05 million euros) in prize money and bonuses.