Rublev joins ASB Classic lineup
Another of the hottest prospects in men’s tennis has been signed up for next year’s ASB Classic, with Russian Andrey Rublev confirmed for the tournament.
The 20-year-old Russian is ranked No 35 in the world and joins the previously announced Denis Shapovalov as one of the young guns for January’s Classic.
Like the 18-year-old Shapovalov, Rublev has been tipped for the top and showed his credentials to win his maiden ATP World Tour title this year, in Umag, Croatia.
He has defeated Jack Sock, Tomas Berdych, David Goffin, Grigor Dimitrov and Albert RamosVinolas this year and climbed up from 156 in the world rankings from the start of 2017.
Rublev will headline this week’s inaugural ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan as the top seed. The Next Gen Finals is a new initiative by the ATP where the eight best players ranked 21 or lower compete to be crowned the best youngster on tour. Shapovalov will also play in this tournament.
ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge says this is the chance to see these stars on the rise.
‘‘There is no question Rublev and Shapovalov are future grand slam champions and top five players,’’ Budge said. ‘‘Their years have both been incredible and the victories they have registered has set the tennis world on fire.
‘‘I first watched Rublev play at the US Open two years ago as an 18-year-old and have been trying to secure his signature ever since.
‘‘He is a special player. Along with Shapovalov, we probably have the two most exciting newcomers in the world confirmed to play.’’
Already signed up for the men’s Classic are Sock, John Isner and Roberto Bautista Agut.
It’s looking like it may not be as star-studded as in previous years, when players like Jo-WilfriedTsonga or Gael Monfils came or Juan Martin del Potro, who was supposed to play at the tournament this year.
While that one superstar player may be missing, the opportunity to see the likes of Shapovalov and Rublev shouldn’t be ignored.
It has become a struggle to get the established top tier of players to want to play in a tournament the week before the Australian Open, as they prefer to spend their time practising in Melbourne.
So for next year Budge has chosen to go down the route of getting the cream of the young players coming through.
Budge has worked hard over recent years to build relationships with the Next Gen players to see Auckland as the ideal preparation for the first grand slam of the year.
He hopes that by bringing these players to Auckland early in their careers, they’ll decide they want it to be a part of their regular buildup.
‘‘Every year we are asked about getting Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal] here,’’ Budge said.
‘‘They both played on their way up the rankings. These two boys may just be the heir to their thrones.’’
The men’s ASB Classic begins on January 8 and is preceded by the women’s tournament, where Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki and Lauren Davis are already confirmed.
He is a special player. Along with Shapovalov, we probably have the two most exciting newcomers in the world confirmed to play. ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge