Tennis: Wozniacki joins Williams in top ASB Classic field

Multimedia Journalist·NZ Herald·

17 Oct, 2014 04:00 PM3 mins to read

Caroline Wozniacki. Photo / AP

The bad news is the ASB Classic won't see a repeat of this year's dream final. The good news, though, prevents the possibility of disappointment.

Caroline Wozniacki was yesterday announced as the tournament's top seed, solidifying the front of a field that could eventually be one of the strongest.

Wozniacki is the second former world No 1 to be confirmed for January's event, coming just two days after 2014 runner-up Venus Williams was locked in.

"To have two icons of women's sport in general - let alone tennis - coming to Auckland is a great sign for this event," said tournament organiser Karl Budge. "It does show how respected we are and I think it's got to be a great sign for the tournament and where we'll go in the future as well."

While the absence of Ana Ivanovic will preclude another battle between the Serb and Williams for the tournament title, Wozniacki's inclusion represents a pretty decent consolation prize.

The 24-year-old was the world No 1 to end both 2010 and 2011 - spending 67 weeks in the top spot - before experiencing something of a decline. But the Dane bounced back in impressive style this year, climbing back inside the world's top 10 and reaching her second US Open final before losing to good friend Serena Williams.

Wozniacki has been sought for some time by tournament organisers, with her high ranking being a stumbling block. Those in the top 10 are permitted to play only one international-level event in each half of the year, with Wozniacki finally agreeing to make Auckland her stop.

"The moment I got the role she was one of the first people I had a chat to to see if we could bring [her] out," Budge said. "It hasn't worked out the last couple of years -- she's been right on the cusp of 10 and 11 the whole way to the end of the year and has just crept back into the 10, which has meant we couldn't have her.

"This is her one international-level tournament in the first six months of next year so for her to make that commitment, when there are some big pay cheques around the traps, is pretty rewarding."

The goal now for organisers is to add depth around Williams and Wozniacki. Budge didn't expect to make another big splash but he was still targeting more top-30 players.