‘We want to win the trophy’: Aussies chase United Cup revenge after deep run at Davis Cup

Veteran doubles star Matt Ebden is confident Australia can build on its impressive run at the Davis Cup to win the upcoming United Cup team event, with the hosts fuelled by their heartbreaking loss to Germany back in January.

Australia has been drawn in Group F along with Great Britain and Argentina, with their first tie against the South American team in Sydney on December 28.

The hosts made the semis last year but lost to eventual champions Germany despite having two match points in the mixed doubles, with the pain of that loss and their encouraging run at the Davis Cup last week giving Ebden hope that they can go all the way this time around.

“The Davis Cup was a good year. To get to the semi-final is nothing to be sneezed at because it took a lot of wins and hard wins by the team to get there,” he said in Perth, which will also host United Cup matches.

“We fell just short against Italy in the semis where Sinner (world No.1 Jannik Sinner) was amazing, and then they went on to win it.

“I think we can do it in the United Cup. We were in the semis last year against Germany and had two match points on one late night in Sydney and we lost the super tie-break, and then they went on to win (the event).

“We were literally one point away from making the final (and maybe) winning these events.

“We’ve got a great team, we’re experienced and we’re super passionate about being home and representing Australia. We want to win the trophy.”

Last year’s United Cup was huge for Alex de Minaur, who had big wins over Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, while it helped Ebden, who went on to win the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open with Rohan Bopanna.

Ebden will partner Joran Vliegen on tour next year and is hoping to replicate his incredible 2024 campaign that included winning gold at the Paris Olympics.

“It (the United Cup) set the tone for the whole year. I got to have all those guaranteed matches and to practise with my teammates and be inspired by them,” he said.

“We got all the way through to the semi-finals and nearly won. We had match point and then I took the form into the Australian summer and ended up with a grand slam win at the Australian Open. I won a Masters (event) and got up to the world No.1 ranking.

“The cherry on top was winning a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics, and our final goal was to win the Davis Cup last week, but we came up just short in the semi-finals.

“It’s been an incredible season and I’m happy for the summer to start in a month’s time here in Perth.”

While the Aussies have their eyes on the prize, they face stiff competition with superstars like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jasmine Paolini headlining the United Cup.

“It’s such a unique event,” Ebden said.

“I don’t think anywhere in world sport do we see men and women compete side-by-side for their country in the same event on the same day or night.

“That brings such a special camaraderie and emotion where you’re fighting for your teammates and your country.

“We’ve got a world-class field here and in Sydney with grand slam champions everywhere. Just about every top player in the world is going to play this event in a month’s time.”