In the scheme of things, the ASB Classic is small fry on the women's tour. Its greatest asset is its proximity in terms of geography and timing to the Australian Open because players want match practice heading into the first grand slam tournament of the year.
But with a purse of only US$250,000 and an equally small budget to entice players with appearance fees, it can be a hard sell. It's believed Venus cost in the vicinity of US$50,000 to play in Auckland, with her fee increasing the deeper she went into the tournament; Ivanovic was apparently more expensive.
Tournament director Karl Budge said on the eve of yesterday's final his goal was to secure Serena and Venus for next year's event and that Serena had contemplated playing in Auckland this year before settling on Brisbane. Ivanovic's win, however, complicates the picture because ordinarily he wouldn't be able to afford the appearance fees for both Serena and Ivanovic to play at the same tournament.
"I might need to talk to the Government to give me some money," he said, only half jokingly. "It would be a dream scenario to get to that position [where all three want to come].
"I think any tournament director would love to have one of them, let alone the remote possibility of two or even more.
"I am a big believer in that you have to get your defending champion back. Ana has been brilliant for us all week and it would be remiss of me not to go after her again next year. I would do it today if I possibly could."
Defending champions do not always come back; Agnieszka Radwanska was a notable absentee from this year's event. She was offered more money to play elsewhere and the ASB Classic couldn't match that figure.
Ivanovic was more circumspect when questioned by media about her intentions than she had been straight after the match: "Ask Karl," she said when questioned on whether she will return. "He's in charge. I really felt very comfortable here. I love this place. I really, really want to come.
"Novak [Djokovic] always wants me to play [Hopman Cup] in Perth with him and that's always a very special week. I love it here and to be able to come back and defend the title and to actually come back earlier and enjoy the beach would be amazing."
The fortunes of the top players in women's tennis might also change considerably over the next 12 months.
WTA rules mean the ASB Classic is restricted to just one top-10 player each year (which seems overly constricting) and Ivanovic might find herself in the top 10 again by the end of 2014 along with Serena. She's presently ranked 16.
If Venus Williams can stay fit and healthy for the rest of the year, she too has the potential to jump considerably from her present ranking of 47.
"She was excited and said, 'I wish I was there'," Venus said of her conversations with Serena about the ASB Classic. "She wants to come at this point because I have had such a great experience. I hope that becomes a reality."
