United Cup Prediction: Stan Wawrinka vs Arthur Rinderknech
12:00 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Stan Wawrinka +195 / Arthur Rinderknech -256
Tournament Details
Tournament name: United Cup
Host cities: Perth, Sydney
Date: 2 – 11 January 2026
Field: 18 countries
Total prize money: $11,806,190
Stan Wawrinka vs Arthur Rinderknech Preview
Stan Wawrinka is returning to the United Cup fold for the first time since 2023. That year, Wawrinka served as both captain and player for Team Switzerland, which failed to make it out of the group stage. Wawrinka holds a 1-1 record in singles, beating Alexander Bublik in straight sets but losing to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. This will be Wawrinka’s final season at the tour level, having announced in impending retirement in 2026.
Wawrinka played 47 matches at all levels last year, winning 24 times. But of those victories, only three came at the tour level in the main draw. He reached two ATP Challenger finals, but lost to Borna Coric at the Aix-en-Provence on clay and Hugo Gaston in Rennes.
Wawrinka finished the season with a highly creditable performance in Athens, where he lost to Lorenzo Musetti in three close sets. Wawrinka has represented his country with distinction in team competitions. He won the Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was part of the country’s winning team at the 2014 Davis Cup.
Arthur Rinderknech is coming off arguably his best season at the tour level, with the Frenchman enjoying a surge in the rankings thanks to his memorable run to the Shanghai final in October. Rinerknech defeated Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Daniil Medvedev to set up an all-cousins’ final at the Shanghai Masters against Valentin Vacherot. He lost a close one in three sets.
Rinderknech has rocketed in the rankings to World No. 29, although he finished the season with three straight defeats. This will be his second participation in the United Cup. He posted one win and one defeat on his previous visit in 2023.
Stan Wawrinka vs Arthur Rinderknech Head-To-Head
Wawrinka and Rinderknech have never met before this.
Stan Wawrinka vs Arthur Rinderknech Prediction
Wawrinka is playing in his final season, and as the year begins, he will be fresh, motivated, and pacing himself early. This is just the kind of tournament and environment that suits his game. It’s unlikely to be a physical match with Rinderknech, who is reliant on the serve+1 tennis. We are getting a well-managed Wawrinka early in the year, up against a one-dimensional attacker like Rinderknech. Wawrinka has a shot here.