Wu and Bublik join stellar line-up for UTS showdown in Los Angeles

Yibing Wu and Alexander Bublik will join an already star-studded line-up boasting the likes of Taylor Fritz and Nick Kyrgios in LA this summer

Alexander Bublik, UTS 4 – © UTS

Jamie Malachy

May 19, 2023

The fifth edition of UTS, due to take place in Los Angeles at the end of July, has announced its two latest stars to add to an already glittering line-up of talent.

Yibing Wu of China and Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik are set to join the field. They will take their place alongside Frances Tiafoe, Nick Kyrgios, Diego Schwartzman, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz for the showdown on the West coast this summer.

They are the sixth and seventh players to be announced for the much-anticipated event, with one last player still to be announced.

Yibing Wu – ‘The Great Wall’ – enters UTS

Yibing Wu, whose UTS nickname is The Great Wall, has enjoyed a breakthrough first half of the season. Wu won the Dallas Open in early February, beating John Isner on his home turf to win the ATP 250 event in what was a first ever ATP title for a Chinese player.

Alexander Bublik returns as ‘The Bublik Enemy’

Alexander Bublik, meanwhile, remains as mercurial and entertaining as ever and he returns to the competition, having played in UTS4. Bublik, nicknamed The Bublik Enemy, continues to dazzle fans worldwide with his mesmerising array of trick shots and unpredictable match tactics. Alongside Nick Kyrgios, he is sure to bring the fireworks to the event.

UTS, created by Patrick Mouratoglou, began in 2020 as a response to the difficulties inflicted by the Covid-19 lockdown, while the ATP and WTA Tours were suspended for six months.

Revolutionary UTS format

The format provides shorter, action-packed matches played over four quarters of 8 minutes, with less time between points, unlimited coaching from the sidelines and chats with commentators at the end of each quarter. It has proved hugely popular with both broadcasters and fans across the world.

The eight men will compete in two round-robin groups, with the top two in each going through to the Final 4 played on July 23rd. The winner will win the coveted Zeus trophy.

Seven players have so far been announced, with the final name soon to be revealed. This will complete this year’s line-up, where all eyes will be on Los Angeles for another scintillating edition of the burgeoning event.