KEY POINTS:
Tennis bosses are today tipped to announce that an Auckland club will host New Zealand's next Davis Cup tie against the Philippines.
New Zealand's Asia-Oceania Group 2 match starts on Good Friday, April 6.
Finding a venue has proven difficult for Tennis New Zealand.
The frontline choices, Wellington, Canterbury, Auckland and North Harbour, are reluctant to host a contest with little public appeal on a holiday weekend for a variety of reasons.
They range from a clash of events, to difficulty raising sufficient local interest, to having a battle ensuring enough volunteers to staff it.
The Davis Cup is sponsored by international banking group BNP Paribas, meaning a clash of signage with the country's biggest venue, Auckland's ASB Tennis Centre.
But set that aside, Auckland already hosts the country's two biggest tournaments in the first two weeks of January. The Philippines are unlikely to be a major spectator drawcard and a sparsely populated centre court is hardly a good look.
One alternative would have been to take the cup to a provincial centre such as Wanganui or Timaru where it might have had greater public appeal.
A club venue is a good choice as it will provide a more intimate atmosphere, more suitable for a low-key tie.
The International Tennis Federation has to sign off on the deal - common practice in similar standard cup rounds overseas - once a lengthy list of requirements has been met.
New Zealand beat Pacific Oceania in the first round at Dunedin this month. The Philippines beat Pakistan.
The Philippines' best player, Cecil Mamiit, was world No 72 and now sits at No 191, easily ahead of New Zealand's leading player, Dan King Turner, who is currently No 483.
