Biggest Names in NZ Set To Serve Best Off-Court Experience

Media Release

Strict Embargo: 23 November 2016 – 8:30 P.M.

Photosport NZ

2017 ASB CLASSIC SERVES UP A STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP OF TENNIS, FASHION, FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

Off the back of announcing its strongest player field yet, ASB Classic 2017 has partnered with the best names in food, fashion and entertainment to serve up a stellar experience off the court too.

The 2017 ASB Classic has a superstar line-up including the Williams sisters, glamour girls Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic as well as a handful the last three Men’s Champions Roberto Bautista-Agut, David Ferrer and John Isner.

To match the electrifying atmosphere on court, some of the country’s most-sought-after musicians and chefs will be delivering world-class entertainment and cuisine, confirming the ASB Classic as place to be seen over summer.

Popular entertainment precinct, The Serve will double in size for 2017. Utilising the beautiful greenery of the Auckland Domain, fans can be part of all the action in pop up restaurants and bars, the giant screens to catch all the action or grab a bean bag or picnic blanket and spill out on to the grass in front of the music stage.

A diverse line-up of some of the most exciting up-and-coming acts as well as much-loved Kiwi musicians have been confirmed to perform live across the fortnight including Kings, who recently won ‘Breakthrough Artist’ of the year at the NZ Music Awards, Laughton Kora, Boh Runga, Isaac Aesili of Latin Aotearoa, Nathan Haines Band and Shapeshifter side project Peacekeepers.

“I am really excited to be part of the diverse ASB Classic entertainment line-up. There are some big acts performing across the two weeks and I am looking forward to watching them help bring the tournament atmosphere to life,” said Kings.

Plating up New Zealand’s finest food

The ASB Classic continues its partnership with The Kitchen by SKYCITY for the fourth year to offer sumptuous delights from culinary superstars Nic Watt (Masu and True Food & Yoga), Sean Connolly (The Grill and Gusto at The Grand) and Peter Gordon (The Sugar Club). Watt will design a bespoke menu for the Mot and Chandon Champagne Lounge whilst also be providing a special treat for the players daily in the player lounge and feature prominently at some of the more VIP functions. Connolly will serve the best of New Zealand cuisine at a pop up version of his restaurant The Grill with a new tennis-inspired menu that will feature the famous Wagyu burger, as well as his signature ‘Popcorn Prawns’ out of his Sydney restaurant The Morrison Bar and Oyster Room. Fans can taste these signature dishes in the entertainment hub of ‘The Serve’, courtside boxes and throughout the ASB Classic grounds.

New to The Serve this year will be a Kapiti store and wine bar from ASB Classic partners EuroVintage. The popular Heineken Baseline Bar returns alongside the Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge, which will introduce a new Moët ‘The Now Hour’ each Friday to celebrate the women’s and men’s semi-finals.

Fashion powerhouses team up

Tennis is synonymous with fabulous fashion and to celebrate, the ASB Classic is excited to announce that fashion powerhouses Juliette Hogan and Kathryn Wilson will team up to host the return of the ‘Ladies that Lunch’ event on Friday, January 6. The event will include a beautiful three-course degustation lunch designed by Nic Watt, a special Q&A and the opportunity to dine with the designers and a complimentary bespoke ‘tennis-inspired’ Juliette Hogan accessory.

Unprecedented ticket sales

Demand for tickets are at a premium with tickets for the latter stages of the weeks almost completely sold out.

Budge says he is delighted to see such strong support for the growing tournament. “The ASB Classic has almost become the summer social outing. With the world-class line-up of players, some of the biggest names in fashion, food and music all from just $15 it is no surprise it is the place to be over January,” Budge says.

An ASB Classic ground pass is one of the best ways to see all the big names at the tournament. Starting from just $15, the ground pass enables fans to catch all the action on courts two and four, watch the biggest star’s practice and warm up on court five or take in all the action from centre court on the giant screens in The Serve.

ASB Executive General Manager of Marketing and Communications Roger Beaumont says the excitement is building as the tournament looms with its most exciting line-up of players yet.

“Paired with top-class entertainment away from the court, there really is nothing like the fun and intimate environment the ASB Classic provides. The tournament continues to go from strength to strength, and ASB is very proud to support these two weeks of outstanding tennis.”

The ASB Classic will span two weeks; the women's tournament commencing on January 2nd to 7th followed by the men’s tournament from January 9th to 14th. Tickets are available through Ticketek, online, over the phone on (0800 842 538) or in person at one of the agencies listed on the event website.

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