By John McNeill
Karl Budge finished off his Christmas shopping a few weeks ago in New York.
The man behind New Zealand's two international tennis tournaments will once again come bearing gifts that feature some old favourites, mixed up with a few fresh treats.
Gifts won't be opened though, until the first week of January - but good things are worth waiting for.
Budge has expensive tastes, but doesn't have the budget to match, so relies on strong player relationships and influential contacts, built up through a long association with the WTA Tour to bring high quality players to Auckland.
Before taking up his tournament director role with Tennis Auckland, Budge was sponsorship account manager with Tennis Australia, followed by a stint as the Director of Sales and Marketing with the WTA.
If there's something extra he can provide a player that suits their needs, it certainly lessens the fee he'll have to pay.
Appearance fees are part and parcel of every tournament these days and Budge has paid six figures in the past to get a player to Auckland.
It's not a regular occurence, but he admits he'll probably have to do it again for the 2017 event.
Venus Williams, who's appeared in the last three ASB Classics is a prime example of someone who enjoys playing here for love, not money.
"What we don't pay Venus is almost embarrassing" Budge says.
"It really does vary on the relationship you have with the player, what you know about them and how you can make it an appealing place to start the year".
"Ultimately they (the players) make all their money the two weeks after us - whatever we put on the table is insignificant compared to what they can earn at the Australian Open".
Budge says he plays on that aspect and the fact that a week in Auckland beforehand will set them up to perform at their best during those two weeks - and ultimately make their money that way.
The tournament's position at the start of the year is also a big selling point for players.
Budge is about to name a marquee player for next year's event - and the guessing has begun.
All of the world's top five have played in Auckland at some stage during their career - but there is one execption - current world number one Novak Djokovic.
In an interview at this year's Laureus Sports Awards, Djokovic said he was a nature enthusiast and had heard a lot about about New Zealand's natural beauty which has made him want to visit "sooner than you think".
His fitness coach lived here for six years and has always spoken highly about the place - so maybe, just maybe the time is right for 'the Djoker' to make his presence felt at the ASB Classic 2017.
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