Tennis: World no. 1 Novak Djokovic to feature in United Cup 2024, veteran Nadal to miss out

World number one NovakDjokovicwillopenhis2024season at the mixed teamsUnitedCupin Australia, but injury-plagued Rafael Nadal was not on the Spain team announced Friday. Djokovicwill spearhead Serbia at the tournament from December 29-January 7 in Sydney and Perth as he builds towards the defence of his AustralianOpentitle.

Nadal was part of the Spain team in 2023 before injuring his hip at the opening Grand Slam of the year. He has been out of action since and underwent surgery in June.

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said this month Nadal planned to make his return to Grand Slam tennis at the AustralianOpen, which follows theUnitedCup. Nadal responded on social media by thanking Tiley for his "confidence", without confirming if he would appear.

There are ATP events in Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland in early January that Nadal could also use to prepare for the AustralianOpen.

Nine of the world's top 20 men and five of the top 10 women will feature at theUnitedCup, with defending champions theUnitedStates among the favourites, led by Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz.

Poland, spearheaded by world number two and four-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek, were named top seeds for the 18-nation event.

Other big names to sign on include Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Maria Sakkari, and Caroline Garcia. "They are all set to play in a format designed to showcase both the men'sand women's match as well as a mixed doubles clash.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE