“Ready, play.”
For two years, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted New Zealand. With international borders closed, the opportunity for the country to host major sporting events, including the ASB Classic, was taken away.
However, good news arrived in July last year when the borders reopened to all visitors, sparking ‘go time’ for ASB Classic Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin. Having seen most of the tournament staff depart in the previous two years, Lamperin knew that getting the ATP Tour back to Auckland by the second week of January would be no small feat.
“As soon as we got the green light that the borders would reopen in the middle of last year, we then put a plan together to restart the tournament,” Lamperin told ATPTour.com.
“A lot of work had to be done because most of the people who were working at the tournament back in 2020 have left. It was all about building a new team, reconnecting with the sponsors, all of our stakeholders, and putting a plan together. Also speaking to the players and making sure they knew that the tournament was back and that we will be up to the standards that they were used to.”
Having not held the ATP 250 event since 2020, a lot of work has gone into making the ASB Tennis Arena ready again. Lamperin is delighted with the progress in recent months, stressing the importance of the event for New Zealand.
“I think the ASB Classic is probably considered the biggest sporting event in New Zealand,” Lamperin said. “There’s a lot of excitement. In all the discussions that we’ve had with corporate, fans and sponsors, they couldn’t wait for the tournament to be back. The setup is also pretty unique here. You can have hospitality courtside while watching the top players in the world.
“We are very excited to be here and to able to start the tournament on Monday.”
Photo Credit: Andrew Cornaga / @photosportnz
After a successful weekend of qualifying, the main draw kicks off Monday. Fans will get the opportunity to watch World No. 3 Casper Ruud and second seed Cameron Norrie play, with experienced stars Fabio Fognini, Richard Gasquet, John Isner and Diego Schwartzman also in action.
“We are very honoured to welcome the World No. 3 Casper Ruud,” Lamperin said. “Cam Norrie is the second seed. Cam grew up in New Zealand from the age of three before departing for the UK when he was 17, so I think that the crowd is really looking forward to him. Then we have Diego Schwartzman, Richard Gasquet, Fabio Fognini and John Isner. We call John Mr. Loyal because he has been here many, many times and won the tournament twice.”
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World No. 14 Norrie reached the final in Auckland in 2019, while 15-time tour-level titlist Richard Gasquet is making his debut in New Zealand. Both are impressed with the setup at the ATP 250 and are looking forward to competing.
“I’ve played well here before. I made the final in 2019, my first ever final, so it’s pretty special to be back here,” Norrie said. “Especially kind of playing a bit better, playing at the level I am.”
“It is my first time here. I have played many tournaments in my life but I have never played here,” Gasquet said. “I am excited to discover Auckland and New Zealand and it is a really nice tournament and I am really happy to be here.”
With excitement building, fans will fill the stands to watch the players battle it out over the next week for the honour to lift the trophy on Saturday.
Photo Credit: Andrew Cornaga / @photosportnz