Emma Raducanu will start her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland and the tournament organizers aren't hiding that they are extremely happy with that move because they consider the British tennis star a major attraction and someone who is going to "sell tickets."
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For the Briton - who turned 22 on Wednesday - it will be her third consecutive appearance on the hard courts of Auckland when the tournament takes place between December 29 - January 05.
If you remember well, Raducanu agreed to come to the ASB Classic for the first time in 2023 January. But it was all but a positive or a memorable debut after she sustained a nasty ankle injury and later blamed the surface and conditions for it.
Surprisingly, she decided to return to the tournament this past January despite harshly criticizing the organizers in her first appearance. Although the former world No. 10 lost in the Auckland round-of-16 this year and didn't make a deep run, nothing bad happened and her second campaign finished on good terms.
Now, after previously confirming Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka for the 2025 ASB Classic edition, New Zealand's WTA 250 tournament also has Raducanu signed up.
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Someone like Emma will always be on top of our list, shes a marquee player, her ranking doesnt really matter in terms of the star power that she brings to the tournament, Auckland tournament director Lamperin told the NZ Herald.
Since her historic and astonishing 2021 US Open triumph, the 22-year-old has been one of the most popular players in the game - especially among the younger generations. With that being said, it was not surprising that some tournaments wanted to get her even when she was not playing well.
And now, ASB Classic boss Lamperin is openly admitting that Raducanu's popularity is one of the reasons why they badly wanted to have her in their 2025 player field.
Its an investment but its worth it. Weve seen the effect on ticket sales, every time we have announced her there is always a major spike. We have also seen the reaction from our sponsors when we are having a discussion and sharing the possibility that she might be coming. She is in that group. She has a special relationship with Auckland and New Zealand. That really helps the discussion," the tournament director noted.
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What Lamperin has to say now about the Raducanu drama?
After starting her Auckland debut with a win, the British tennis star's following match against Viktoria Hruncakova was moved to an indoors court due to rain. Late in the second set of that match, she slipped and retired in tears after injuring her ankle. Later, she unloaded on the conditions and the tournament organizers.
Its difficult to take. Ive put a lot of physical work in the last few months and Ive been feeling good and optimistic. So to be stopped by a freak injury, rolling an ankle is pretty disappointing, in the first week as well. I thought I was playing some pretty decent tennis. The courts are incredibly slick, like very slippery, so to be honest its not a surprise that this happened to someone. Its out of my control and after a very long day of waiting around. But well assess over the next few days and see what the next steps are," Raducanu said at the time.
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Reflecting on it now, Lamperin described it as "unfortunate circumstances" but also highlighted that both sides talked it over and moved past it.
It is all behind us now. We had to face the most unfortunate circumstances in 2023, we have all learned from it and I dont think such a similar scenario could happen again," the Auckland boss said.
How Raducanu feels about Auckland?
Ahead of her third appearance in New Zealand, the 22-year-old had some positive words about their people but also about their weather.
The people are very friendly and very hospitable. I always have a great time there. The weather, when it is nice, is really beautiful," the British tennis star.
Meanwhile, Raducanu hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in mid-October but she is set to return to action at this week's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga.
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Mentally I feel like I am in a better place to compete now than I ever have been before since the US Open. Its going to probably take me some tournaments to get up to speed but once I do, I am in a better headspace to compete now," the Briton said.
It will be interesting to see if Raducanu can kickstart her 2025 season with a deep Auckland run.
