Published from ASB Classic

The ASB Tennis Classic celebrates its return to Auckland in the New Year with the confirmation that Canada’s No 1 female, Leylah Fernandez is the latest top-line player to sign up.

The US Open runner-up, who has just turned 20, is another of the exciting young stars to emerge on the world tennis scene.

Her announcement coincides with tickets going on sale to the public from midday today for the event from January 2-14, with the women’s event in the first week and the men following from 9 January.

ASB Classic Event Director, Nicolas Lamperin said it is an exciting time for the tournament.

“Leylah is among the brilliant young players emerging on the world scene, several of whom want to come back to New Zealand where they have enjoyed their experiences before,” said Lamperin.

“The tournament is back after three years and the quality of players we have announced is outstanding, with more to come.

“Our organising team is fully focussed on delivering a wonderful experience for fans, who are now able to secure tickets.

“The pre-sales have been at a level higher than anyone can remember and we would recommend that fans act swiftly to avoid disappointment. If you want to buy the perfect Christmas present for the family, why not a day or two at the tennis?”

Lamperin said he is thrilled to have attracted Fernandez to the tournament.

“Leylah was the first Canadian for 10 years to win a Junior Grand Slam, and she qualified for the Australian Open as a 17-year-old.

“Her breakthrough was last year when she won her first WTA title at Monterrey, and she enjoyed three wins over world top-10 players on her way to making the final of the US Open last year, and this year made the quarterfinals at the French Open.”

Lamperin said that Fernandez, who defended her title at Monterrey this year, joins other young players on the rise including Coco Gauff, Cam Norrie and Casper Ruud, lining up for the ASB Classic.

Tickets for the ASB Classic start from $21 (plus fees) for children and $36 (plus fees) for adults, with tickets on sale from noon on Tuesday.

ASB Classic organisers have confirmed they’ve secured one of the hottest signatures on the ATP tour, teen tennis prodigy Denis Shapovalov.

The 19-year old Canadian sensation is continuing to make an impression on the ATP tour, his explosive style of play propelling him up the rankings, seeing him reach a high of world number 23 in June, becoming the youngest player to be ranked in Top 25 since Richard Gasquet in 2005.

It’s this form that saw him named the 2017 ATP Star of Tomorrow, being the youngest player to finish in the Top 100 after a season which saw him beating world number 1 Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro to reach the semi-final of the Montreal Masters.

During his maiden year on the ATP tour, Shapovalov became the youngest quarter finalist and semi-finalist ever an ATP Masters 1000 event, eclipsing the likes of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

Known as one of the most energetic and exciting players on the Tour, Shapovalov is excited to be returning to Auckland after enjoying his first visit to the ASB Classic earlier this year.

“It’s is a great tournament and I’m looking forward to being back. The fans were incredible last year and it’s so much fun – I can’t wait to get back on to centre court.”

“Auckland is awesome. I jumped off the Sky Tower when I was there last time. I’m not sure what I’ll do on this visit but I’m sure I’ll find something fun.”

ASB Classic Tournament Director Karl Budge is thrilled to have Shapovalov return to the ASB Classic for a second year in a row.

“We got a taste of what Shapovalov can deliver this year and we can’t wait to see more. There is no question he is a star of the future, and he’s delivering some big matches right now. He’s so athletic and dynamic, just so exciting to watch on court.”

“The ASB Classic has a reputation for showcasing the next generation of talent – Nadal, Federer, Wozniacki and Murray have all played here early in their careers. We gave Naomi Osaka a wild card in 2017, and Jelena Ostapenko made her name in Auckland before winning Roland Garros. We’re certain that Shapovalov is going to be another name to add to this list” continued Budge.

And some big names in tennis agree with tennis legend Pete Sampras believing Shapovalov will become a top two player, whilst seven-time Grand Slam Champion Mats Wilander compared him to two of the games greats.

“He is a serious talent. To be 100 percent honest, you cannot compare Shapovalov to any other youngster. He is a completely different level. It’s like watching a combination of [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer at 18 years old. He has the fire of Nadal and the speed around the court of Nadal and he has the grace of Federer. It’s unbelievable” said Wilander.

The ASB Classic has signed one of the most entertaining players on ATP tour with confirmation Gaël Monfils will join the Men’s line-up for the 2019 event.

The towering Frenchman is known for his supreme athleticism and showmanship on court, has 7 ATP titles to his name and has been as high as number six in the world rankings (2016). Former world number one Andy Murray has rated Gaël Monfils as the best athlete in tennis.

Monfils previous appearance in Auckland was in 2013 where he treated the fans to one of the most memorable matches of the tournaments history, defeating Tommy Haas in an epic 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 match.

“We’re stoked to have Monfils back at the ASB Classic this year, and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to head to Auckland over defending his title at Doha. He is an absolute showman, an exciting player to watch and we know he’s going to entertain the crowd” said Tournament Director Karl Budge.

“Gaël’s 2013 match against Tommy Haas is one of the most memorable in tournament history, truly epic. It’s become one of those iconic matches that are referred to when people are talking about the ASB Classic. We can’t wait to see him back out on centre court”

The 32-year-old ‘Showman’ is also looking forward to returning to Auckland, and has confirmed his first stop in 2019 will be the City of Sails.

“I’m happy to be returning to Auckland. It’s a beautiful place and I love playing there. The crowd is always very active and I’ve been wanting to come back for a long time, so I’m glad to be able to make it happen” said Monfils.

Currently ranked 30 in the world, the 6’4 giant looks to be returning to his best form this year after winning his 7^th ATP title in Doha. He then went on to reach  the final of the European Open, two more semi-finals (Argentina, Turkey) and three quarter-finals (Ecuador, Brazil and Austria).

Budge says, there’s no doubt Monfils will be one of the crowd favourites at Tennis Lane.

“Fans flock to see his exciting brand of tennis, he’s so talented and very entertaining. It’s going to be a real treat for our crowd to watch him live”.

With John Isner, Hyeon Chung, Roberto Bautista-Agut, Tomas Berdych and now Gaël Monfils confirmed, the men’s draw is shaping up to be the most entertaining in recent times.

The 2019 ASB Classic is shaping up to jam packed with star power following confirmation today a Victoria Azarenka will start her year in Auckland.

Azarenka joins the already announced Caroline Wozniacki (currently world number 2) and Venus Williams as Grand Slam Champions and former world number ones that have committed to starting their year in Auckland.

Together the three have enjoyed an incredible 133 weeks at world number one, have won 99 WTA titles, 10 Grand Slam titles and 5 Olympic medals.

“This field is certainly shaping up to be our strongest yet.  There is still the chance of another Grand Slam Champion and we know we have two more big names that will confirm in the coming weeks.  With the first round now split over two sessions rather than four, we are going to have what will probably be our strongest ever Monday and Tuesday of the Women’s event” said Tournament Director Karl Budge.

Azarenka has been a mainstay at the top of the Women’s game since breaking in to the top ten in 2009.  She rose to number one in the world for 51 consecutive weeks in 2012 having captured her first of back to back Australian Open titles.  She became just the third women of all time to achieve the ‘Sunshine Double’, winning both Indian Wells and Miami in 2016.

In 2018 the Belarusian has risen an incredible 154 spots on the WTA rankings as she strives to return to the top ten following the birth of her first child, Leo.

Whilst it may have been Serena that has grabbed the headlines, Azarenka too is flying the flag for sporting mums balancing life as a mother and as a professional athlete.

“Vika has been incredible since coming back on Tour.  She performed incredibly well at Wimbledon last year in her second tournament back and this year alone she made the Semi-Final’s in Miami, one of the biggest events of the year and recorded wins over top ten players.  What she is doing is incredible and we look forward to welcoming her and Leo to Auckland in January”.

The exceptional field of players secured for the 2019 event is exciting for tournament organisers and sponsors alike.

“We’re excited to see former world number one Victoria Azarenka return to the ASB Classic this year,” says ASB head of community and sponsorship Mark Graham.

“With Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, we now have three Grand Slam winners heading to Auckland for the Women’s week – it’s shaping up to be a fantastic summer of tennis.”

With more players still to be announced over the coming weeks, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the most well rounded in history with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis guaranteed to be taking to centre court right from day one of the tournament.

Media Release
Wednesday 3 October

Organisers have confirmed that Caroline Wozniacki will return for another shot at the ASB Classic title.

The current world number two will be returning to the ASB Classic for the 5^th time and looking to go one better than her finals appearance in 2018.

Wozniacki is coming off the back of an impressive year which saw the Danish star lift her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, taking a hard-fought win over Simona Halep in the final and returning her to the world number one position, exactly six years after last holding the top spot.

Wozniacki also took out the title in Eastbourne in 2018, racking up her 600^th career match win and securing her second WTA singles title for the year. In the process she made a further final (Auckland), a semi-final (Doha) and three quarter-finals (Rome, Istanbul and St Petersburg).

Wozniacki’s stellar year means she has now captured at least one title every year for the last eleven years on the WTA Tour, and should mean she will qualify to defend her WTA Tour Finals crown in Singapore later in the year.

With an outstanding 29 WTA singles titles to her name, and 71 weeks as world number one, Wozniacki is one of the biggest names in the game and her success on court is matched by her popularity off the court as the face of Stella McCartney by adidas, her position on the front row of fashion weeks around the world as well as her three consecutive appearances in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues.

Wozniacki was excited about heading back to Auckland, “I love playing in Auckland. The crowds are always great and provide a lot of energy on court.  I feel like I play well when I’m in New Zealand, making finals twice, but I really want to take home the winners’ trophy”.

Organisers are happy that they’re been able to secure the fan favourite for another appearance in Auckland.

“It’s great to have Caroline back.  Along with Venus we have two global superstars who we know play their best tennis at the ASB Classic.  Her breakthrough Grand Slam was well deserved and I know she is looking to add more silverware in Auckland.” said Tournament Director Karl Budge.

The ASB Classic will span for two weeks; the women’s tournament kicking off on December 31 to January 6 followed by the men’s tournament from January 7 to 12.