One of the biggest and brightest events on the Kiwi sporting calendar will return for 2023, with a new tournament director at the helm.
After a two-year hiatus, the ASB Classic is on track for next year and Newshub has learned who will be charged with assembling a world-class field.
More than 15 months ago, Karl Budge announced he would step down as director and Newshub understands his replacement will be Nicolas Lamperin, who’s currently the agent of French star Gael Monfils.
Sources claim, among the many reasons for signing on, Lamperin wants to live in New Zealand.
Budge became one of the best in the business at creating a quality event and leaves a big pair of shoes to fill, and Lamperin faces some immediate challenges.
In March, New Zealand was one of 37 signatories to a joint statement on Russia's war with Ukraine, condemning the invasion and supporting sanctions, including a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at international sporting events.
If that is the case, not having them here could damage the quality of the field, but thankfully for Lamperin, international bodies must decide whether to enforce that ban, and the ATP (men) and WTA (women) tennis authorities don't support that action.
If that changes, Lamperin may face a massive task finding more quality players for Auckland.
