World no.4 Agnieszka Radwanska to headline next year’s ASB Classic
In only the second time in the history of the ASB Classic, a player in the world’s top five will grace the courts in Auckland.
October 15, 2012
-
- Zoom this image
- Agnieszka Radwanska
In
only the second time in the history of the ASB Classic, a player in
the world’s top five will grace the courts in Auckland.
Poland’s
Agnieszka Radwanska is currently no.4 in the world after a stunning
season where she reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and
collected three WTA titles.
Following
in the footsteps of other big names who have come to Auckland such as
Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova and Lindsay Davenport, Radwanska
comes at the peak of her career to date.
The
previously highest ranked women to play in the ASB Classic were 2009
winner Elena Dementieva (also ranked no.4 in the world) and Nadia
Petrova in 2006 at no.7.
New
ASB Classic Tournament Director Karl Budge says he is thrilled to
secure a player of Radwanska’s quality who is in the best form of
her career.
“Agnieszka
started the year at no.8 in the world and by June she’d won three
more titles in Dubai, Miami and Brussels, reached the final of
Wimbledon and jumped to no.2 in the world. That’s a pretty
impressive six months.”
Introduced
to tennis by her father Robert at the age of four, Radwanska has
accumulated a total of $US10 million in prize money. The 23-year-old
has 10 career titles, has been in the top 10 since 2008, and as a
junior she won both Wimbledon and the French Open.
Radwanska
also has a younger sister, Urszula, on the professional tennis
circuit, who has just entered the top 30.
As
well as Radwanska’s obvious ability on the court, Budge says tennis
fans can look forward to having some fun with one of the most popular
players on the tour – with the “bubbly” Radwanska winning the
WTA fan favourite award last year.
ASB
Executive General Manager Culture and Community Linley Wood says as
principal sponsor of the ASB Classic they are delighted to have
helped secure the equal highest ranked player to ever feature in the
tournament.
“Radwanska’s
entry in the ASB Classic continues the tournament’s long history of
attracting global stars of women's tennis.”
“Next
January’s ASB Classic, our 17th
as principal sponsor, will be a fantastic opportunity for Kiwi tennis
fans to enjoy the most in-form women’s player to hit our courts.”
The
2013 ASB Classic runs from 31 December this year to 5 January 2013.
Tickets go
on sale from Ticketek on Thursday, 1 November.
The
start time for each day’s play has been moved an hour earlier to
midday. All centre court games for the ASB Classic will also be
screened live on SKY TV.
