New Zealand-raised Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie is the first marquee signing for the 2023 ASB Classic.
Cameron Norrie returns for ASB Classic. Photo: Photosport
The tennis tournament will return to Auckland in January after a two-year Covid-enforced hiatus and the 26-year-old who was introduced to the game from an early age at the Bucklands Beach Tennis Club is the first big name to commit.
Norrie, who rose into the world's top-10 this year, was beaten by world number 3 Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in his first Grand Slam semi-final last week.
He was born in South Africa before his Scottish father and Welsh mother moved to New Zealand when he was three. He switched allegiances to Great Britain as a teenager, and then became the number 1 ranked collegiate player in USA.
Norrie has four ATP victories and was a runner-up at the ASB Classic as a wildcard in 2019.
His tennis stocks have improved over the last two years, gaining his best title thus far with victory at the ATP Masters 1000 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last year.
"For me to get back to Auckland where I grew up to play is great. As a kid I would go to the ASB Classic and watch and get photos with all the players. That is where tennis all started for me and where I got inspired to want to play ATP events like the one in Auckland," Norrie said.
Norrie said it was surreal to now play against some of his idols who he watched play at Stanley St.
"Seeing those players, I watched when I was younger like John Isner - I have a good photo with him when I was young - Fabio Fognini and Carreno Busta and now playing with them on the Tour is pretty cool."
Tennis Auckland chief executive officer Rohan West said the signing was a huge boost for the event and more signings would follow in the coming weeks.
Tennis New Zealand chief executive Julie Paterson said that Norrie's appearance is not only significant in terms of his world ranking status, but also with his background.
"This is a player who learned the game and developed in this country which is a boost for all young players in New Zealand with aspirations to be professional and also a tap on the back to all those countless coaches and administrators at clubs throughout New Zealand doing outstanding work with young emerging players," she said.
Novak Djokovic was Cameron Norrie last opponent at Wimbledon. Photo: TAKUYA MATSUMOTO
The big left-hander has been buoyed by the support he has received from home and his old club at Bucklands Beach during Wimbledon.
"I know everyone at Bucklands Beach club was following me. My dad still plays there and his close friends watched and were all talking about it and I have a lot of messages from members of the club.
"It's very cool that they were following and sending me of support. I will have to have a hit on the courts there when I am back for the ASB Classic."