Tennis. It's the so-much-more-fun-than-cricket summer sport that just about everybody enjoys. Promising the drama and pathos of a Shakespeare play, and combining this at times with the elegance of a ballet, tennis is a veritable pleasure to behold. The ASB Classic in particular deserves your attention.
This annual event, spanning two weeks (31 December - 12 January), draws local and international crowds alike thanks to the world-class tennis talent it has on display. So, tournament director Karl Budge notes, "The ASB Classic has a reputation for showcasing the next generation of talent – Nadal, Federer, Wozniacki and Murray have all played here early in their careers." It's also widely regarded as an important warm-up for the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tournament, which unrolls on 14 January.
This year's women's lineup for the ASB Classic boasts superstar Venus Williams, 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, defending champion Julia Goerges, and Eugenie Bouchard. The men's program is equally star-studded, with current world number ten John Isner, former world number four Tomas Berdych, defending champion Roberto Bautista-Agut, ASB Classic veteran and fan-favourite David Ferrer, and the renowned French virtuoso Gaels Monfils, all taking up a place in the field.
The bound-to-be-brilliant centre court antics will be complemented by an array of pop-up bars and live music. Finally, one cannot fail to mention that, unlike some ATP and WTA events such as Wimbledon or the Australian Open, there's a good chance you can afford a ticket to the ASB Classic without being obliged to sell everything you own on TradeMe.