It is a game, set and match that most of us love. We are now in the time of year when the tennis returns, in the form of the United Cup that will drop in both Sydney and Perth from tomorrow, following through well into the new year. 

The RAC Arena in Perth and Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney are set to receive players from all around the world, with group rounds until Wednesday January 3rd, semi-finals on Saturday January 6th, and the finals on Sunday January 7th. 

Image: Catch the United Cup in both Sydney in Perth from December 29th to January 7th. 

To break it down for you, Perth looks to be under a dry heat spell whilst Sydney – on the other side of the net – should feel warm and muggy for the entire set of days.  

It's safe to say that Perth temperatures will reach a top of at least 30 all days of the tournament, so be sure to score a spot in the shade, particularly on Saturday December 30th, the highest-ranked day for heat. 

Figure: 12-hour max temp and 850hPa winds in southwest WA using ECMWF. Temperatures could reach as high as 35ºC in the afternoon with a hot continental airmass, when Poland will take on Brazil.  

In Sydney, temperatures look to start off much milder, with a cool airmass driving mild southerly component winds on New Year's Eve, feeling in the low twenties in the afternoon. As heat builds, the muggiest days look to occur from January 3rd-4th, just as the quarterfinals hit off. 

Figure: 2m Dewpoint temperature and surface winds on Wednesday 3rd evening using the ECMWF model, when Greece and Canada are due to play a sweaty match. Sydney dewpoint temperatures at the time are forecast to be 21-22ºC, with humid northeasterly winds. 

The semi-finals could see some cloud about, which would keep the centre cooler despite the humidity. Thankfully, it looks to feel no warmer than the mid-twenties, giving an advantage to both players and viewers.  

With the line of a cooler airmass and alley of a deep southerly airflow, the day of the finals looks to be a double of the previous day, with similar conditions to the semis.  

So, whether you'll bounce or whether you'll take a spin, it's your call. Let the best team win! You can find the official United Cup Schedule here and check the forecasts here.