Exciting tennis sensation Dennis Shapovalov is heading back to the ASB Classic in 2020.
The Canadian joins top-10 players Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov in an exciting line-up, showcasing the next generation of the men's game.
Shapovalov has long been touted as the future of the game and was the youngest player to break into the top 30, since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
The 20-year-old took home his first ATP Tour title in 2019, winning the Stockholm Open in October, and reached a further final, three semi-finals and three quarter-finals in a career-best year that has propelled him to a career-high world No.15.
His recent run at the Rolex Paris Masters 1000 featured wins over players inside the world's top 15, including Fabio Fognini (12), Alexander Zverev (6), Gael Monfils (10) and Rafael Nadal (one) to meet world No.2 Novak Djokovic in the final - his first at the highest level of the ATP Tour.
The action-packed lefty is excited to be returning to Auckland.
"Honestly, I love the people there, the fans, the tournament is unbelievable," said Shapovalov. "Leading up to the Grand Slam, it's really calm, really chill week and I think that's super important for players, before a hectic two weeks at a Grand Slam.
"New Zealand's an unbelievable country - I feel like everyone is so friendly and honestly, it's so nice and clean when you walk around the city. I’ve really loved going there the last couple of years."
ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge is thrilled to have Shapovalov back.
"He is probably my favourite player to watch and I have been a huge fan, since I first watched him play at the junior level.
"It's obviously been a great year for 'Shapo', breaking into the top 20, taking home his first title and now hitting a career-high ranking of 15 in the world.
"We’ve always known what he's been capable of on court and I think now we're starting to see that come through in his performances," said Budge.
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