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PHOTOS: Koala selfies for FAA & Mboko, Osaka & Raducanu spot quokkas, Ruud catches waves ahead of United Cup

Several stars made sure to end their 2025 on a fun note ahead of the new season launching Down Under.

ByTENNIS.com

Published Dec 31, 2025

The first matches of the 2026 tennis season are nearly upon us, with the United Cup headlining the opening week of action.

Sydney and Perth once again serve as host cities for the round-robin stage of the mixed-gender competition. As players get set to kick off their campaigns, opportunities to take in local culture before the New Year have been sprinkled in with team training sessions.

📲🖥️ Stream the 2026 United Cup on the Tennis Channel App!

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Victoria Mboko and Felix Auger-Aliassime visited the Sydney Zoo with their Canadian teammates.

Down at URBNSURF wave park, surf was definitely up for Casper Ruud and his fellow Norwegians.

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Team China also soaked up the animal sightings, as Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin were spotted feeding kangaroos.

Iga Swiatek, who will bid to complete a Career Grand Slam at the upcoming Australian Open, was all smiles during her final practice of 2025 in Sydney.

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As was the No. 1 Australian on the WTA Tour, Maya Joint.

Naomi Osaka and Team Japan visited Rottnest Island during the day, with an all-important quokka selfie on the list of priorities.

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Emma Raducanu made sure not to miss out on documenting the experience with the iconic photo op, too.

The day prior, Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz stopped by Cottesloe Beach for a round of beach tennis with local juniors.

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Read: What to watch for at the season-opening United Cup

United Cup action launches January 2. Argentina faces Spain in Perth during the opening day session before Japan takes on Greece in the evening.

Come Saturday, both cities will be underway. The U.S. begins its title defense against Argentina at night, while the home favorites open against Norway in primetime.

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