Team Canada, China players visit Sydney Zoo ahead of United Cup

Team Canada and China’s tennis stars, led by Felix Auger-Aliassime and Zhang Zhizhen, enjoyed a lighthearted visit to a Sydney zoo ahead of the United Cup. The mixed-team tournament kicks off Friday as a key warm-up for the Australian Open starting January 12.

TENNIS AUSTRALIA/Reuters

December 31, 2025

Team Canada and China’s top players, including Felix Auger-Aliassime and Zhang Zhizhen, shared a light moment at a Sydney zoo—feeding koalas and kangaroos—before the United Cup kicks off as a warm-up to the Australian Open.

Reuters

SYDNEY, Australia — Team Canada and China’s top tennis players, including Felix Auger-Aliassime and Zhang Zhizhen, paid a visit to a zoo in Sydney on Wednesday, December 31, as they prepare for their United Cup campaign.

The players took time off from training to interact with local wildlife, feeding koalas and kangaroos during the visit.

The United Cup gets underway on Friday, January 2, and serves as a key warm-up tournament for the Australian Open, giving fans an early look at several of the sport’s biggest names.

Attention will soon shift to Rod Laver Arena starting January 12, when the first Grand Slam tournament of 2026 begins.

-Production: Aadi Nair/Reuters