ASB Classic organisers are confident the Auckland tennis tournaments will continue to attract high calibre fields on their return to the New Zealand sporting calendar.
ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin. Photo: Photosport
Cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to the impacts of Covid-19, on Tuesday it was confirmed the events would be back at the start of next year.
Driving that return - new tournament director Nicolas Lamperin.
"The way I look at it is the tournament has some very solid foundations," Lamperin said.
"We have to capitalise on those strengths but the way the world is going we cannot rely on what's been done in the past."
The Frenchman took charge with almost two decades experience as an agent to some of the world's best tennis players.
He had also been the associate tournament director for a 250 level tournament in Croatia, the same level as the Auckland event.
Tennis Auckland chief executive Rohan West said they were happy to have Lamperin at the helm, noting the importance of his 18 years as a player agent.
"Those relationships [mean] that he can have really in-depth one-to-one discussions with players and agents.
"Really just cut to the chase. What is it you need to come to Auckland?"
Those conversations had already begun, with player announcements set to be incoming soon.
But West said fans could expect the same calibre of players the event was previously attracting.
"There a suite of players now who weren't even on tour who are now becoming household names. We will definitely be able to get a few of them.
"Players who just squeaked in [to the ASB Classic] on a wildcard or through qualifying three years ago and now they're in the world's top 15. We'll be able to get some of those back.
"As well as some superstars who may have fallen out of rankings the world top 100-150 and are looking to come back."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
That wasn't only good news for tennis lovers.
As Auckland Unlimited's Richard Clarke explained, the tournament had a significant impact on our biggest city as a whole.
"January and February is generally a good time for tourism but that New Year period is a challenge for Tāmaki Makaurau.
"People tend to travel to beaches et cetera. This gives people a reason to stay, and to visit.
"[The tournament] performs really well from an economic impact perspective generally but for the time of year it's even better."
Hardly a surprise, then, that the ASB Classic has a reputation as one of the most loved tournaments by players on the global circuit.
A reputation which former tournament director Karl Budge played the key role in developing.
And a reputation which has his successor excited to get to work.
"When I speak to agents and players, they all tell me it's a stellar event," Lamperin said.
"They love coming here and competing here. The stadium is always packed, which is not always the case everywhere.
"It has very strong and solid foundations that we need to build on."
The 2023 ASB Classic was scheduled to run from January 2-13.