World No.3 Casper Ruud is the standout name for the return of the ASB Classic, as 19 direct entries into the men's draw were announced on Wednesday.
Ruud was announced as an ASB Classic participant in September, and is the highest ranked player confirmed to compete in the tournament as it returns from a COVID-19 enforced exile.
The 23-year-old played at the ASB Classic in 2020, where he exited in the round of 32, but has since risen up the game's ranking.
In 2022 alone, Ruud reached the final of both the French and US Open, and will use the ASB Classic as preparation for the 2023 Australian Open, where he'll hope to tick off a first Grand Slam title.
Ruud is joined in the draw by fellow rising star Holger Rune, 19, and former Kiwi Cameron Norrie, now playing under the British flag, as a stellar top three.
"We're extremely happy," tournament director Nicolas Lamperin told Newshub.
"We have the chance to work with the No.3 player in the world in Casper Ruud, and the next generation of player with someone like Holger Rune, and someone we consider a local in Cameron Norrie, who has done extremely well this year.
"Casper is an all-round player. He's done extremely well on many surfaces. There was some thinking when he first started that he was just a clay player. But he's shown the world he can play everywhere.
"The fact he reached the final of the US Open, and the final in Torino on indoor, faster courts, is testament to his ability to play all year round."
Lamperin also hinted more star names could be on the way, with multiple wildcards to be handed out before the tournament begins.
"We have a couple of options we're considering," he continued. "It's a little bit early to say.
"It will also depend on what happens in the United Cup. Some players will finish early, they'll have 10 days ahead of them before getting ready for the Australian Open.
"There could be some exciting opportunities for us."
ASB Classic seedings:
1-Casper Ruud, 2-Holger Rune, 3-Cameron Norrie, 4-Diego Schwartzman, 5-Francisco Cerundolo, 6-Alexander Bublik, 7-John Isner, 8-Sebastian Baez, 9-Adrian Mannarino, 10-Jenson Brooksby, 11-Alex Molcan, 12-David Goffin, 13-Fabio Fognini, 14-Pedro Cachin, 15-Jamie Munar, 16-Marcos Giron, 17-Pedro Martinez, 18-Quentin Halys, 19-Constnant Lestienne
