KEY POINTS:
It is pitched as one of the country's most glamorous sporting events, but the ASB Classic in Auckland has a distinctly laid-back, Kiwi style.
Flat whites and lattes were the drinks of choice at day one of the tennis tournament yesterday.
As top international tennis tournaments go it was casual, one of the few to which one could wear blue sheepskin slippers.
Auckland tennis veteran Rae Renyolds, 94, says she opts for comfort over glamour in her shoe selection. Although recovering from a knee operation she said she couldn't miss day one of the tournament.
There was also a serving of drama.
Lone protester Hanif Patel waved yellow placards outside the venue against event sponsor ASB Bank.
Second seed and former French Open champion Anastasia Myskina wept after losing to Gisela Dulko.
Third-seed Daniela Hantuchova juggled a coffee and sandwich to autograph ball kid Neeshah Dahya's shirt.
Budding tennis player and on-court helper Christine Foote, 13, too enjoyed the chance to get tips from the top.
"The players are extra nice to the ball kids," she said.
