Classic racket

With no players anywhere near the top 100 on the ATP and WTA ranking lists, New Zealand’s name in the tennis world is kept afloat by their showpiece ASB Classics played at a venue once dubbed “the Wimbledon of the South Pacific”. Tournament director Karl Budge has continued the tradition of luring big-name players to both tournaments. That many return, often many times, is an acknowledgment of the work put in by Budge and his staff in ensuring nothing is left to chance despite the limited budget and prizemoney at the lower end of the scale. The first women’s tournament was played at the then Stanley St — now the ASB Tennis Arena — in 1986 and won by Brit Anne Hobbs. American Patty Fendick won in 1988-89, with Belinda Cordwell giving New Zealand their best result in the second of those wins in finishing runner-up. Greek Eleni Daniilidou remains the only other two-time champion (2003-04), while big names on the honours board include Marion Bartoli, Jelena Jankovic, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens. Twice runner-up (2015 and 2018) and top seed this year, will be hoping to go one better. Julia Goerges returns to defend and is seeded two, with Williams sixth. With $43,000 of the US$225,000 purse to the winner, there is plenty to play for as the players again use this season-opener as key preparation for the upcoming Australian Open in Melbourne.

● ASB Women’s Classic, Monday from

2pm then daily.