French tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is headed to Auckland for the first time to play alongside Venus Williams.
Tsonga, who was once ranked no.5 in the world, boasts 11 tour titles and is one of only three active players to beat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray while Williams returns for the third consecutive time as defending champion.
The tournament will now both be under one name as the ASB Classic with the men's tournament being renamed from the Heineken Open.
Tournament director Karl Budge said Tsonga was a huge get for Auckland.
"Jo is a true superstar of the tennis world and someone we have chased for three years. He has amassed almost $23 million in career prize money, made it to the semi-finals and beyond at Grand Slams six times and is just one of those guys who entertains both on and off the court," Budge said.
"Venus has really made Auckland her own over the last couple of years winning the title this year and making the final in 2014. We have been so privileged to have her support and I have no doubt she will look to add another ASB Classic trophy to her bedroom wall."
The ASB Classic runs for two weeks and features the women's field in the first week followed by the men's field in the second week, running through early January to kick off the international tennis season.
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