Serena Williams' Kiwi New Year 'very special'

NZ Herald

31 Dec, 2016 07:19 PM3 mins to read

Serena Williams described Waiheke Island as "gorgeous". Photo / Aucklandnz.com

Tennis legend Serena Williams welcomed in the New Year with a trip to Waiheke Island, describing the destination as "gorgeous" and "just so beautiful".

Williams is in Auckland to compete at the ASB Classic tennis tournament but took some time out of her training schedule to explore the region's stunning natural playground on New Year's Eve.

Williams helicoptered to Waiheke Island to explore a private beach.

ASB Classic, which starts tomorrow and runs to January 14. Photo / Aucklandnz.com

"Waiheke is just so beautiful. To have a gorgeous island like this so close to the city is special," she said.

Williams arrived in Auckland on Friday and has had a chance to look around the city, encouraging her fans to do the same if they are travelling here.

"The scenery is beautiful, but there is also a great city vibe," she said.

"The food has been so awesome, and I hear the shopping is really good too."

"I love exploring new places and New Zealand has always been somewhere I have wanted to visit.

"To be the first one to welcome in a New Year is very special."

The tennis star will be playing in a charity match with her sister this afternoon. Photo / Aucklandnz.com

Danish tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki also celebrated New Year's in style in the City of Sails.

She posted a short video to social media, ditching the tennis dress and trainers for a form-fitting short dress and heels, to wish her followers a "happy and healthy New Year".

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A post shared by Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki)

Czech player Lucie Safarova posted a photograph of herself on Bowen Ave in the city, with the Skytower in the background.

"Hello Auckland! One of my favourite cities! Ready to start the 2017 season," she said.

Auckland is playing host to some of the sport's biggest names with Venus Williams also returning to compete in the first event on the global tennis calendar before the sporting siblings head off to the Australian Open.

The announcement of Serena Williams competing in Auckland led to tickets selling out for both women's sessions, the first time in the tournament's 61-year history that the women's weekend has sold out before the men's.

Venua Williams has this morning posted a photo to Instagram of herself warming up ahead of this afternoon's charity match.