A group is set to protest against Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer playing at the ASB Classic for a third straight year.

Tennis Auckland is confident facilities will be up to standard in time for the ASB Classic and Heineken Open next month.

Marina Erakovic is hoping next year's ASB Classic will provide the launch pad to get her tennis career back on track.

The unexpected entry of former world No 1 Dinara Safina into next year's ASB Classic has bolstered the highest-profile line-up.

Former world number one Dinara Safina is the latest big name player to be confirmed for the ASB tennis Classic.

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova has been confirmed for next year's ASB Classic.

Maria Sharapova was named this week as the marquee player for the 2011 ASB Classic and is easily the biggest drawcard in the tournament's history.

Triple Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova will play at the ASB Classic tournament in Auckland next year. Photos / AP, NZH

New Zealand's top women's tennis players may have to playoff for a spot in the ASB Classic main draw this summer.

Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer says protesters' chants against her were difficult "emotionally" to listen to but made her play better.