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ASB Classic women 2025: All you need to know

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Emma Raducanu

The draw has been made, the courts are ready and the ball kids have been assembled for the start of New Zealand’s premier tennis tournament.

The action at the Auckland Tennis Centre starts on Monday with the women’s week of the ASB Classic – and for the first time in a long time, we have a real chance of seeing a local going deep and potentially lifting the trophy.

US Open 2024 results: Emma Raducanu out in first round after defeat by Sofia Kenin - BBC Sport

But it’s not just about the action on the court. The ASB Classic is as much about what goes on in the stands, boxes and out in the hospitality area, so there is plenty to look forward to in our all-too-brief summer of tennis.

Here is a look at who is competing and what to look out for:

Madison Keys will be feeling pretty good right now. The last time she came to Auckland back in 2013 she was bundled out in qualifying, but this time returns as the number one seed.

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Novak Djokovic planning change to his 2025 schedule as he admits what surprised him about last season

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Novak Djokovic

Before then, however, Djokovic takes on Rinky Hijikata in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Djokovic will partner Nick Kyrgios in men’s doubles, with the rivals-turned-friends taking on Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies.

The Serbian failed to win a Grand Slam title in 2025, but did manage to get his hand on Olympic gold in Paris.

Novak Djokovic, 37, Thinks He 'Can Go Strong For Years To Come'

Knee surgery did impact his time on the court, although he did manage to reach the Wimbledon final shortly after.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has now discussed that scenario and indeed his season in general in his opening Brisbane International press conference.

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Novak Djokovic response when asked if Roger Federer’s dominance of tennis was over after he won his first Australian Open title ever

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Novak Djokovic Roger Federer

The first of the Serbian 24 majors came at Melbourne Park 16 years ago and it would not take long before he became a dominant force in the men’s game.

In the 2000s there was no player who had a hold over the men’s game quite like Roger Federer, who won the majority of his Grand Slam during this decade.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic Seeking To Make History at Australian Open

But as the decade came to an end, the likes of Djokovic and of course Rafael Nadal started to make more of an impression, Federer began to find life on tour more challenging.

Novak Djokovic defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets to win the 2008 Australian Open.

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Rafael Nadal Refuses To Rule Out Coaching After Retirement

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Rafael Nadal

In a recent announcement, Rafael Nadal has left the door open to the possibility of stepping into a coaching role following his retirement from professional tennis. The Spanish tennis legend, who officially retired during the Davis Cup Finals after Spain’s quarterfinal exit, remains non-committal but hasn’t ruled out a future in coaching.

Nadal’s 2024 season was a tale of resilience and heartbreak–a comeback attempt in January was derailed by a recurring hip injury, delaying his return until spring. At 38, after competing in select clay tournaments, the 22-Grand Slam champion finally decided to hang up his racket, bringing an illustrious career to an emotional close. His uncle and long-time coach, Toni Nadal, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career, was constantly in the stands during his farewell tournaments.

Rafael Nadal Docuseries in Development From Netflix, Skydance Sports

When asked about the prospect of coaching, Rafael responded with characteristic thoughtfulness: “Never say never. As of today, it is too early to think about these kinds of things. I just need to organize my life. Right now, I don’t see myself in any project of this nature, but I don’t know how my life will be in one, two, or three years.”

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Nadal defies Critics, embraces Saudi Mission: “I don’t care that much”

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rafael nadal

Rafael Nadal isn’t backing down. The tennis legend, who signed a lucrative deal to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabian tennis, has fired back at critics who slammed his involvement with the controversial regime.

“So I accept the critics, especially I respect the critics who criticise things while respecting other people,” Nadal told The National. “When they don’t respect, it’s a different story. But at the end of the day, I know when I make the decision that’s [criticism] going to be happening. But in some way I don’t care that much if I really achieve the goal that I want to achieve here.”

Tennis: Rafael Nadal rallies with 97-year-old

Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November, remains committed to his mission to grow the sport in Saudi Arabia. He recently visited Jeddah to attend the NextGen ATP Finals, where he interacted with young players and emphasized his desire to leave a lasting impact.

“For me, it’s an opportunity, first of all, to know a different culture. Second, to promote our sport in a region that is really growing in that regard,” he added. “I want to be remembered here as a person that is here to help the new generations to practice and play more and more tennis.”

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The match Novak Djokovic picked as the most ‘nerve-wracking’ of his entire career

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Novak Djokovic

He is likely to be fit and ready for the Australian Open after an injury-hit season, during which Djokovic reached one Grand Slam final.

The 37-year-old suffered a loss to Carlos Alcaraz in that Wimbledon clash, in what was a repeat outcome of the 2023 final.

Djokovic has hired Andy Murray as his coach to help with his preparations, with the duo set to pair in the off-season and at the first major event of the new season.

Novak Djokovic | Biography, Grand Slams, & Facts | Britannica

The Serbian boasts 10 Australian Open titles, more than any other player, with his 24 Grand Slams two ahead of Rafael Nadal and four ahead of Roger Federer.

And one such title was secured in what Djokovic has described as the most ‘nerve-wracking’ match of his career.

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United Cup to Launch Exciting New Season

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Roger Federer

TENNIS – The retirement of tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams has presented unique challenges for event organizers, but it’s an opportunity to spotlight emerging talent, according to the United Cup’s tournament director.

The highly-anticipated $10 million mixed team event gets underway this Friday, with tournament chief Stephen Farrow expressing optimism that the future of the sport looks bright.

Roger Federer | Biography, Championships, & Facts | Britannica

“From a promotional perspective, having icons like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal certainly draws attention to events,” Farrow noted in an interview with Reuters following the recent draw for the 18-team tournament held in Sydney. “These athletes are phenomenal superstars, and with their departure, we face a tougher task in sharing the narratives of the new players stepping onto the court.”

Farrow, however, remains optimistic, remarking, “This presents a chance for all of us involved in tennis to shine a light on these promising talents. Our line-up for the United Cup is thrilling, and I am confident about the sport’s trajectory.”

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Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud

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Djokovic Slam glory

Novak Djokovic is confident he can still win Grand Slams, starting at the Australian Open, with the Serbian kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented 11th title and record 25th major crown in Brisbane this week.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who is gunning for a third Melbourne Park trophy, joins him at the Queensland Tennis Centre from December 29-January 5 in a stellar women’s field.

Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud

The 2025 season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by world number two Iga Swiatek in her first tournament since revelations that she served a one-month doping suspension.

It is the first season since 37-year-old Djokovic began playing that none of the other so-called “Big Four” will be on the other side of the net following the retirements this year of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

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‘I played against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – it’s clear who has the best tennis brain’

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Federer Nadal Djokovic

Alex de Minaur has played against all of the ‘Big Three’, but the Australian believes Roger Federer has the best brain in all of tennis.

De Minaur is flying high at sixth in the world, having reached the quarter-finals of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open during an impressive 2024.

How Roger Federer Compares to Tennis Legends Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic – NBC Chicago

Billed as a future Grand Slam winner himself, De Minaur was quizzed on which players he’d pick to build a ‘perfect ATP tennis player’ ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Federer took the prize for having the ‘best tennis brain’, but there was no place in his ATP hybrid for Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

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Jack Draper picks who is the greatest player of all time out of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

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Jack DJraper Roger Federer Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal

Naturally, it’s the big three that make up the discussion with Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all in the mix for selection.

Djokovic sets the pace with the number of Grand Slam titles he’s won, with Nadal just behind him – although he has now retired.

Federer did only win 20 major crowns but it was the elegance and natural ability that he showcased that often led to many giving him the GOAT mantra.

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic's longest win streaks on clay, grass and hard courts

With Christmas upon us and a new tennis calendar set to get underway, Great Britain star Jack Draper has now thrown his pick into the mix.

Draper enjoyed a brilliant 2024 and rose up the rankings to sit as the 15th-best player in world tennis.

His achievements during the year included knocking Carlos Alcaraz out of Queen’s Club and reaching the US Open semi-final where he eventually lost to Jannik Sinner.

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