Keep a lid on Classic expansion in Auckland

Caroline Wozniacki gives ASB Classic star quality. Photo / Getty

The ASB Classic organisers need to put a roof on talk of getting bigger.

Tournament officials have been vocal over the past two weeks about their ambitious plans for the event, which may include moving up a status on the WTA and ATP tours.

That would allow them to attract more big names — especially for the women's event, where they are limited to one top 10 player.

But it would also mean a large increase in prizemoney and sponsorship, which doesn't seem justified.

The ASB Classic fortnight is already a brilliant event. Last year's women's tournament had a field that would be the envy of any event — outside the grand slams — with Serena and Venus Williams along with Caroline Wozniacki.

And you can be sure that none of the 39 other ATP 250 tournaments in 2018 will come close to matching the men's field assembled over the past week, with five top 20 players and a ton of "Next Gen" talent.

But there is a natural limit to how much it can grow.

The women's event is always hamstrung by the early week in the calendar, when many Aucklanders are at the beach. And the level of demand for tickets across the fortnight will only increase dramatically if there is more of New Zealand presence in the field (a la Brett Steven, Kelly Evernden and Belinda Cordwell), which is years away.

And increasing the status of the event would also mean a hike in ticket prices, in a city with a relatively small population.

It feels like we have reached the apex. You can't do better than Serena Williams and Juan Martin del Potro, both of which created a huge buzz.

The ASB Classic has been recognised across the tennis world for its innovation, fan experience, quality crowds and player focused approach.

Most importantly, they've won over the dressing room, which is why this week's Sydney's tournament constantly struggles to attract any big names in comparison.

Their highest ranked player this week was Albert Ramos-Vinolas (No22), who wouldn't even turn heads in his native Spain, followed by Gilles Muller (No25).

That won't change in the near future, so there is no need to go crazy shooting for the stars. And things should be kept in perspective; a golf event in this country would be overjoyed with one or two overseas top-100 player, which almost never happens.

It's better for the ASB Classic to stick with the existing formula. One or two marquee names, a couple of other recognisable players, some more to add depth and a few young guns.