With Caroline Wozniacki, one of the biggest names in women's sport, on her way to Auckland in a few weeks, we look at other sports stars who have graced our land.
Tiger Woods In 2002 the world number one took part in the New Zealand Open after some convincing fromcaddie Steve Williams. Woods was reportedly paid US$2 million in appearance money and almost missed the cut before finishing sixth. Australian Craig Parry won the tournament.
Bjorn Borg Borg claimed his first professional singles title at the Auckland Tennis Championships in 1974 beating New Zealand's Onny Parun in the final 6-4. 6-3, 6-1. It was the first of 64 titles. The Swede visited New Zealand again in 1983 to face Chris Lewis in an exhibition match after retiring from the sport having won 11 majors.
Maria Sharapova In 2011 Sharapova played at the ASB Classic, winning her first two matches in straight sets before being stunned by the unknown Greta Arn in the quarters. Arn, who went onto win the tournament, defeated the Russian 6-2, 7-5. Sharapova was 18th in the world at the time having won three of her five career majors.
David Beckham The England midfielder graced New Zealand turf twice. His first visit in 2007 attracted 31,000 at Westpac Stadium as Beckham's LA Galaxy defeated the Phoenix 4-1. A year later he was back, at the cost of $2.91 million from the Auckland Regional Council, as the Galaxy faced an Oceania XI at Mt Smart Stadium.
George Best Manchester United toured New Zealand in 1967 after having just been crowned English champions. Best was joined by Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles. They beat an Auckland selection 8-1 at Carlaw Park before piling on more goals in an 11-0 drubbing of a New Zealand selection in Christchurch.
Manchester United , including a young George Best, play at Carlaw Park against the Auckland team on 28th May 1967
Stirling Moss The motor-racing and Formula One legend won the New Zealand GP on three occasions - 1956, '59 and '62. He also shared a Volkswagen Golf GTI with Denny Hulme in the 1979 Benson & Hedges 500 at Pukekohe Raceway. Australian great Jack Brabham was also a regular fixture in New Zealand, winning the NZ GP in 1958, '60 and '61.
Gary Player The little South African played the 1958 New Zealand Open, a year before claiming the first of his nine majors at the 1959 British Open. Player finished in third behind Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson. Thomson won the British Open five times.
Roger Federer A 19-year-old Roger Federer appeared at the Heineken Open in 2000, though at the time he didn't have the pulling power he has today and was consigned to a backcourt. He lost in straight sets to Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero - the would meet in the Wimbledon quarter-finals seven years later. The tournament remains the only event on the ATP tour that Federer has not won a match.
Rafael Nadal Always wanting to go one better than his rival, a 17-year-old Nadal played the 2004 Heineken Open where reached his first ATP final before losing to Dominik Hrbaty in three sets. Hrbaty went onto win one more ATP title in his career. Nadal has won 64 since.
