Knutson Savors United Cup Debut
1/17/2025 11:32:00 AM | Tennis
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – With the eyes of the tennis world on Australia for the year's first grand slam tournament, Gabriela Knutson made her debut on one of the sport's biggest stages during a prominent Australian Open leadup event.
Knutson, who racked up 179 total wins from 2015-19 with the Orange, the second most in program history, was selected to the Czech Republic's United Cup Team for 2025. She played two mixed doubles matches in the event as the Czech Republic made a run to the semifinals for the first time.
"It's incredible for me to play at that high level and a team that comes from such a small country that has an incredibly high level of tennis," Knutson said. "For me to play on a team for my country is a very rewarding and honoring experience."
This year's United Cup, which was contested in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, Australia, from Dec. 27-Jan. 5, was the third edition of the tournament, which features mixed-gender teams from 18 countries. The field for this year's event included nine top-10 singles players across the ATP and WTA Tours - Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur.
Knutson had the option to play in last year's United Cup but could not fit it into her schedule as she was preparing for qualifying at the Australian Open. This year, she was thrilled to receive another invite to represent her country.
"I was really excited to play this year," Knutson said. "It was really nice to go down to Australia and play for my team."
Knutson, a two-year All-American during her time with the Orange, said her favorite memory of the event was the Czech Republic's upset victory over Italy in the quarterfinals.
"It was so exciting to be on the bench there," Knutson said. "That feeling of winning and making it to the semifinals, which the Czech Republic has never done, was so good."
During that rubber against Italy, Knutson made her first appearance of the event in mixed doubles alongside partner Patrik Rikl. The duo played against Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who won last year's mixed doubles title at the U.S. Open together and have combined to win seven doubles majors.
"It was the biggest arena I've played at with the most people watching," Knutson said. "It was really cool to play with them at that venue."
Knutson also played mixed doubles with Rikl in the semifinals against the United States' duo of Desirae Krawczyk and Denis Kudla. Krawcyzk is four-time major winner in mixed doubles.
In addition to playing against some of the sport's most accomplished players, Knutson shared a team with a pair of rising Czech stars - Karolina Muchova and Tomas Machac. Muchova made the 2023 French Open final in singles and has been ranked as high as No. 8 in the world, while Machac has recently climbed into the top 30 in singles.
Knutson helped Muchova warm up for her singles matches at the United Cup. She knew Muchova from the junior tennis circuit and said being on the same team as the country's second-highest ranked singles player was an invaluable learning experience.
"Seeing her now and where she has gotten to with her tennis is incredible," Knutson said. "Being around that environment is a lesson for me to see what they do."
"I learned a few things about the way they practice and the professionalism that goes into it," Knutson added about Muchova and Machac. "It's really interesting to watch and see what they do and compare it to what you do."
Knutson, who has reached as high as No. 155 in the WTA singles rankings, said representing her country at the United Cup was one of her top tennis experiences.
"Playing on such a big stage for your country is an incredible feeling," Knutson said. "I feel so much support from my country as well."
For all the latest news on the Syracuse tennis program, follow /CuseTennis on Facebook, @CuseTennis on Instagram and @Cuse_Tennis on Twitter.
Knutson, who racked up 179 total wins from 2015-19 with the Orange, the second most in program history, was selected to the Czech Republic's United Cup Team for 2025. She played two mixed doubles matches in the event as the Czech Republic made a run to the semifinals for the first time.
"It's incredible for me to play at that high level and a team that comes from such a small country that has an incredibly high level of tennis," Knutson said. "For me to play on a team for my country is a very rewarding and honoring experience."
This year's United Cup, which was contested in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, Australia, from Dec. 27-Jan. 5, was the third edition of the tournament, which features mixed-gender teams from 18 countries. The field for this year's event included nine top-10 singles players across the ATP and WTA Tours - Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Alex de Minaur.
Knutson had the option to play in last year's United Cup but could not fit it into her schedule as she was preparing for qualifying at the Australian Open. This year, she was thrilled to receive another invite to represent her country.
"I was really excited to play this year," Knutson said. "It was really nice to go down to Australia and play for my team."
Knutson, a two-year All-American during her time with the Orange, said her favorite memory of the event was the Czech Republic's upset victory over Italy in the quarterfinals.
"It was so exciting to be on the bench there," Knutson said. "That feeling of winning and making it to the semifinals, which the Czech Republic has never done, was so good."
During that rubber against Italy, Knutson made her first appearance of the event in mixed doubles alongside partner Patrik Rikl. The duo played against Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who won last year's mixed doubles title at the U.S. Open together and have combined to win seven doubles majors.
"It was the biggest arena I've played at with the most people watching," Knutson said. "It was really cool to play with them at that venue."
Knutson also played mixed doubles with Rikl in the semifinals against the United States' duo of Desirae Krawczyk and Denis Kudla. Krawcyzk is four-time major winner in mixed doubles.
In addition to playing against some of the sport's most accomplished players, Knutson shared a team with a pair of rising Czech stars - Karolina Muchova and Tomas Machac. Muchova made the 2023 French Open final in singles and has been ranked as high as No. 8 in the world, while Machac has recently climbed into the top 30 in singles.
Knutson helped Muchova warm up for her singles matches at the United Cup. She knew Muchova from the junior tennis circuit and said being on the same team as the country's second-highest ranked singles player was an invaluable learning experience.
"Seeing her now and where she has gotten to with her tennis is incredible," Knutson said. "Being around that environment is a lesson for me to see what they do."
"I learned a few things about the way they practice and the professionalism that goes into it," Knutson added about Muchova and Machac. "It's really interesting to watch and see what they do and compare it to what you do."
Knutson, who has reached as high as No. 155 in the WTA singles rankings, said representing her country at the United Cup was one of her top tennis experiences.
"Playing on such a big stage for your country is an incredible feeling," Knutson said. "I feel so much support from my country as well."
For all the latest news on the Syracuse tennis program, follow /CuseTennis on Facebook, @CuseTennis on Instagram and @Cuse_Tennis on Twitter.
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