Spain’s No.1 singles players are both compelling spectator experiences, but for vastly different reasons.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Sara Sorribes Tormo will lead their country at the United Cup in Perth, with Team Spain drawn in Group A alongside Poland and Brazil.
And while they approach their tennis from opposite ends of the style spectrum, both will make life difficult for opponents when they open the 2024 competition on Friday 29 December.
TICKETS: Watch Team Spain compete in Perth at United Cup 2024
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Davidovich Fokina, a junior Wimbledon champion, has flourished into one of the more energetic, athletic personalities on the ATP Tour.
The 24-year-old, who wears odd socks on court, attempts daring shots and flings himself around the court to remain alive in points, which often find themselves on highlight reels.
His frequent dives and tumbles even inspired the X (formerly Twitter) account ‘Did Foki Fall?’, where clips of his on-court acrobatics are shared and liked by his growing fan base.
Davidovich Fokina, who reached a career-high ranking of world No.21 in August, was a Roland Garros quarterfinalist in 2021 and reached the Monte Carlo Masters finals in 2022.
He developed into an increasing threat on hard courts in 2023, posting a quarterfinal at Indian Wells before a run to the semifinals in Toronto.
In the past 12 months he scored wins over Casper Ruud and Holger Rune – both top-10 players at the time – plus Alexander Zverev, Karen Khachanov and Ben Shelton.
Victories over notable opponents such as these will have world No.9 Hubert Hurkacz on notice when Spain meets Poland at RAC Arena on 1 January.
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Sorribes Tormo has similar giant-killing capabilities.
The 27-year-old is notable for straight-sets wins over Naomi Osaka and Ash Barty in the past few years, victories which came playing for Spain at Billie Jean King Cup (against Osaka) and at the Tokyo Olympics (over Barty).
But unlike her United Cup teammate, who accrues wins with bold, aggressive play, Sorribes Tormo has built a reputation as one of the game’s most formidable brick walls.
Among the grittiest fighters on tour, with supreme fitness and the ability to focus for long stretches without dips in her level, she forces opponents to elevate their play if they hope to win – for she certainly won’t beat herself.
She has become famous for partaking in epic contests, even if she doesn’t win them.
Her Wimbledon second-round match against former champion Angelique Kerber was considered one of the best matches of the 2021 season, spanning more than three hours before Kerber eventually overcame her gallant challenger.
Sorribes Tormo pushed eventual semifinalist Beatriz Haddad Maia even harder at Roland Garros this year, before Haddad Maia finally triumphed after almost four hours.
Sorribes Tormo and Haddad Maia are set for a compelling rematch at RAC Arena.
This is just one of the reasons why fans in Perth are sure to enjoy watching Team Spain compete at United Cup in 2024.
Davidovich Fokina’s flair paired with Sara Sorribes Tormo’s fight means the Spanish squad is well positioned for a strong run at the exciting mixed-teams event.
