Title Contenders and Upsetters Set to Shine at ASB Classic

The ASB Classic women’s tournament is poised to kick off on January 8, 2024, at the Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland. This year’s event features a mix of established stars and emerging talents as players compete for the prestigious title. The tournament director, Nicolas Lamperin, faced challenges when top player Naomi Osaka withdrew in early November, opting to start her 2026 season in Australia. This is not the first time Lamperin has had to adapt, having dealt with similar situations in previous years.

With Osaka’s absence, the tournament welcomes Elina Svitolina, currently ranked 14th in the world and the top seed, along with second seed Emma Navarro, ranked 15th. Both players are familiar to Auckland’s audiences, having faced off in last year’s semifinals, where Coco Gauff went on to claim the title.

Despite the lack of headline acts like Gauff and former champion Serena Williams, Svitolina and Navarro remain favorites to battle for the championship on January 14. Additionally, the tournament features notable wildcards including Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens, both of whom have previously triumphed in Auckland, adding a touch of star power.

Lamperin’s preparations faced another setback with the withdrawal of New Zealand’s rising star Lulu Sun due to a wrist injury. Sun expressed her disappointment on social media, stating, “Definitely not the way I wanted to start the new year… I have been struggling with a wrist injury following a neck injury.” Sun aims to recover in time for the Australian Open later in January.

As the tournament begins, attention turns to the promising young talents competing. Notably, Iva Jovic, an 18-year-old American, Alexandra Eala, a 20-year-old from the Philippines, and Janice Tjen, a 23-year-old from Indonesia, are all seeded third to fifth and have made impressive strides in their careers over the past year.

Leading Contenders in Focus

Elina Svitolina returns to Auckland after a thrilling three-set final against Gauff in 2024. The 32-year-old has reclaimed her position in top-level tennis after returning from maternity leave in mid-2023. Svitolina’s impressive track record includes winning three titles in 2018 and securing her 18th WTA Tour title in Rouen in 2025.

Second seed Emma Navarro also has a strong history in Auckland, having reached the semifinals last year. In 2024, she rose dramatically in the rankings, finishing the year at No 8 after winning her first title in Hobart and making semifinals in several tournaments.

Young star Iva Jovic is viewed as a player to watch, drawing comparisons to Gauff. Jovic’s rise in the WTA rankings culminated in her first victory in Guadalajara, making her the youngest player to win a WTA Tour event since Gauff.

Philippine player Alexandra Eala has broken into the top 50, achieving remarkable wins against top-10 players and reaching her first Tour final. Meanwhile, Janice Tjen has made history as the first Indonesian woman to win a Tour singles title in over two decades, bringing heightened expectations to her performance.

Returning Wildcards and Their Impact

Veteran players Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens add excitement to the tournament. At age 45, Williams returns for her seventh ASB Classic, having previously won in 2015. After a significant break from the sport, she made her comeback at the US Open in 2025.

Sloane Stephens, the 2016 Auckland champion, is also looking to regain her form after an injury hiatus. The 32-year-old has amassed eight titles in her career and has been active off the court during her recovery.

As the ASB Classic unfolds, the tournament promises thrilling matches and potential upsets, with a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging stars ready to make their mark. Fans can tune in to watch the action live on Sky Sport 2 and 3 starting at 11:30 AM local time.