ASB Classic 2025: Young stars and veterans set for Auckland showdown as men’s field announced

Ben Shelton returns with hopes of improving on his semifinal appearance at last year's ASB Classic. Photo / Photosport

The ASB Classic men’s field for the 2025 tournament in Auckland has been announced and it’s shaping up to be a battle between the young and the experienced.

Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin revealed eight of the top-13-ranked players were 23 or younger, with American Ben Shelton, 22, the top seed.

Shelton will be looking to make his mark in Auckland after reaching the semifinals at this year’s tournament and the round of 16 last year, when he travelled outside the United States for the first time. He leads a group of talented youngsters with impressive performances this year, collectively winning five ATP titles, making 15 ATP finals, 47 semis or quarterfinals and winning 11 Challenger titles.

ASB Classic on sale now - Winner: Best Sporting Event 2025 - Don’t miss out!

The youngest is teenager Jakub Mensik who is set to turn 20 during the tournament. The Czech world 48 and No 13 seed reached his first ATP final in Doha after winning two Challenger finals.

Gael Monfils, 38, leads the elder statesmen. Regarded as one of the fastest and most flamboyant players, he has amassed 12 ATP titles and has been ranked in the top 100 for each of his 20 seasons.

This year’s ASB Classic champion, Alejandro Tabilo, 27, of Chile, returns to defend his title as No 2 seed after rising to No 19 in the world this year.

Another fan favourite, Cameron Norrie who learned the game in Auckland before moving to Great Britain, is returning after his first significant injury break.

Fifth seed Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has been touted as the player to watch in January. The 21-year-old won ATP 500 and 250 titles this year and has a faster average second serve than any other player’s first serve.

Lamperin said the men’s field was “exciting”.

“Our defending champion Alejandro Tabilo has won three titles this year and we have Cam Norrie back in the city where he grew up, restarting after his injury break and no doubt with plenty of hometown support.

“We are privileged to have Gael Monfils return. He is still an outstanding athlete who can play such memorable shots and still one of the great showmen in our sport.

“And we are honoured to again host Ben Shelton, our top seed, who will only play our ASB Classic in his lead-up to the Australian Open.

“Overall it is a very well-rounded field with in-form players with experience, exciting new emerging players and some exceptional shot-makers.”

ASB Classic men’s field

1. Ben Shelton (USA) world No 21; 2. Alejandro Tabilo (ESP) No 23; 3. Sebastian Baez (ARG) 27; 4. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) 30; 5. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) No 31; 6. Flavio Cobolli (ITA) No 32; 7. Nuno Borges (POR) 36; 8. Alex Michelsen (USA) No 41; 9. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) No 42; 10. Pedro Martinez (ESP) No 43; 11. Luciano Darderi (ITA) No. 44; 12. Mariano Navone (ARG) No 47; 13. Jakub Mensik (CHE) No 48; 14. Cameron Norrie (GBR) No. 49; 15. Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) No. 53; 16. Gael Monfils (FRA) No. 55; 17. Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) No. 57; 18. Fabian Marozan (HUN) No. 58.

(Seeding, world ranking)

Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast, and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.