The ASB Classic is back on our shores bringing back major names in tennis.
Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Emma Raducanu and kiwi Lulu Sun are among the women returning to the court.
Qualifying for the women's tournament has begun today and will continue tomorrow.
ASB Classic Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin joins the show to discuss how the event is shaping up ahead of its first day on Monday.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from news Talk ZEDB caughters to one. One of the
glamour events of the New Zealand sporting summer. Nearly upon US,
the ASB Tennis Classic underway, with qualifying today and tomorrow
for the WTA Women's Tournament. First round matches start on Monday.
The final is next Sunday. That's followed by the ATP
(00:28):
men's event from Monday, the sixth of January through to Saturday,
the eleventh. The women's draw incidentally takes place set around
one o'clock this afternoon. Tournament director Nicholas Lampren has taken
time out of his businesses you will to join us. Nicholas,
thanks for your time on ZB two days out from
the start of the tournament.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Do you feel ready, Yes, we're almost there. Just you know,
we've got two more days to get fully fully ready.
In terms of the setup for the site. We have
a smaller operation over the weekend for the qualifying and
then we use the full site by Monday morning.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
How happy are you the women's field first of all
that you've assembled, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Very happy. I think it's a really good combination of
you know, established talent, local talent, and you know up
and coming players. You know, it's great to be able
to welcome Lulu back to New Zealand after after what
she's done last year. She's the number four seeds, which
hasn't happened in the in the Torment history for many,
many years. And also you know we have the likes
(01:33):
of Naomi Zakia, Madison Keys, Radukenu like you know, proper
marquet names. In the world of women's tennis.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
When you're putting the fields together and doing your planning,
how do you strike the balance between proven performers and
rising stars.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
It's pretty much like a fifty to fifty split that
are trying to assemble. We do need some some market
players because these are the ones that the fans want
to see and the reason why we we we're selling
all of these tickets. But at the same time, we
need to anticipate the future and we want to start
(02:14):
building relationship with up and coming players and make sure
they'll be able to come in they use to come
as their rank and go up.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
That's a very creded time of the year of course
for tennis players. Everyone preparing for the Australian Open a
lot of competition Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. How do you attract
top players to your tournament in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
As two main factors, you know. The first one is
everything we have to offer in Oakland. Uh, you know,
we we're trying to look after the players as best
as we can. You know, it's a really personalized service
to to to all of them. And the second one
is you know, the financial aspect. You know, it does
(02:58):
cost to bring the market players, but it's an investment
that we need to make if we want to remain
relevant on the in his calendar.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And something which is I guess different to what they
experience elsewhere is the close proximity of the corporates in particular.
Do you find that most of the players are okay
with that?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, I think it's a unique offering of the tournament.
The fact that we have people, you know, dining and
drinking court side is something that you only see in Auckland.
We were a little bit concerned in the first place
about this and we're not really sure about what the
(03:41):
reaction of players might be, but they actually love it,
you know, they think it really creates a special atmosphere
around the court and everyone's you know, very well behaved,
so we've never had any issue on that front.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You mentioned lu Luson before. You know, she was only
a qualifier last year, but what a year she's had
on twenty twenty four. How big a draw card do
you perceive her to be now that she has risen
to the heights that she has.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
And she's clearly someone who could win the tournament this year.
She's in that position. You know, she she's the fourth seed.
Everyone remembers about her quarterfinal at Wimbledon, but she you know,
she she's done modern this. You know, she was also
in the final in Monterey, which is with a five
hundred event. You know, I would hope that she will
(04:30):
be in a position to win a first title at
some point this season, and why not in Auckland next week?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Absolutely? And I say, you have automated line calls for
the first time that she and Nicholas. Can you tell
us about that technology?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yes, so this is a new requirement on the eighth
B side, and because we run back to back tournament,
we decided to use that technology for both weeks, so
basically no more line judges, but instead we've got twelve
cameras around the court that we use to call all
(05:09):
the lines, so it's a it's a lot of technology.
We have to have it on all the match courts,
so it's three courts times twelve cameras. There's a lot
of technology involved. But that's just the way that the
game is going these days.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
That sounds like a big investment too, is it money wise?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Yeah, it's a big investment. I mean it's it's it's
in the region of one hundred and fifty thousand US
dollars just for that technology for the for the two weeks,
so it's it's significant, but it's a it's a new
requirement from the tools.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
So just the chair umpire and helped by the cameras,
that's how it works.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Now, Yes, exactly. Wow. And then we have a we
have a crew on standby of line judges just in
case the technology failed, just to make sure, you know,
we can continue the matches if there's any glitch with
the system.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
As the tournament plays out across the weakerhead and then
into the means tournament, what do you find yourself doing
mainly what takes up most of your time.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
At this At this stage, you know what. Once the
tournament starts, it's it's a lot of time, you know,
being spent with the players just to make sure we
catter for all the needs, you know, listening to their
requests in terms of you know, match scheduling or you
know practice, and also a lot of time spent with
(06:32):
all of our sponsors, you know, trying to make sure
that they get the best return on the investment.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Do you actually get to watch any tennis?
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I do. I do watch some tennis, a lot of
most of it is on the screen, not not some aslive,
but are trying to get some a few games here
and there if I can.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
And you keep an eye on the weather forecast, no
doubts looking okay, I think for the week you hit.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yeah, it's looking good so far. It's pretty windy though,
which is always a bit of a challenge, but hopefully
that will come down and then I'll have a nice fortnite.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Congratulations on pulling these wonderful fields together, Nicholas, all the
best for a wonderful fortnight ahead. Thanks for taking the
time for a chat this afternoon. Thanks very much, Thank you, No,
thank you, Nicholas. Nicholas Lampa and their tournament director of
the ASB Classic. The draw for the women's competition is
only about ten minutes away. Madison Keys is the top seed.
Alise Mertants from Belgium number two seed, Amanda n Samova
(07:32):
of the United States third seed, and Lulu Sun the
Key week as high as any New Zealander has been
seedings why she is the fourth seed. Naomi Osaka and
Emma Rodcanu Grand Slam winners are also among the top
eight seeds. We'll bring you the draw when it is
made over the next hour or so. Seven Away from one,
News TALKSB for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.
(07:55):
Listen live to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from news Talk ZEDB caughters to one. One of the
glamour events of the New Zealand sporting summer. Nearly upon US,
the ASB Tennis Classic underway, with qualifying today and tomorrow
for the WTA Women's Tournament. First round matches start on Monday.
The final is next Sunday. That's followed by the ATP
(00:28):
men's event from Monday, the sixth of January through to Saturday,
the eleventh. The women's draw incidentally takes place set around
one o'clock this afternoon. Tournament director Nicholas Lampren has taken
time out of his businesses you will to join us. Nicholas,
thanks for your time on ZB two days out from
the start of the tournament.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Do you feel ready, Yes, we're almost there. Just you know,
we've got two more days to get fully fully ready.
In terms of the setup for the site. We have
a smaller operation over the weekend for the qualifying and
then we use the full site by Monday morning.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
How happy are you the women's field first of all
that you've assembled, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Very happy. I think it's a really good combination of
you know, established talent, local talent, and you know up
and coming players. You know, it's great to be able
to welcome Lulu back to New Zealand after after what
she's done last year. She's the number four seeds, which
hasn't happened in the in the Torment history for many,
many years. And also you know we have the likes
(01:33):
of Naomi Zakia, Madison Keys, Radukenu like you know, proper
marquet names. In the world of women's tennis.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
When you're putting the fields together and doing your planning,
how do you strike the balance between proven performers and
rising stars.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
It's pretty much like a fifty to fifty split that
are trying to assemble. We do need some some market
players because these are the ones that the fans want
to see and the reason why we we we're selling
all of these tickets. But at the same time, we
need to anticipate the future and we want to start
(02:14):
building relationship with up and coming players and make sure
they'll be able to come in they use to come
as their rank and go up.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
That's a very creded time of the year of course
for tennis players. Everyone preparing for the Australian Open a
lot of competition Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. How do you attract
top players to your tournament in Auckland.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
As two main factors, you know. The first one is
everything we have to offer in Oakland. Uh, you know,
we we're trying to look after the players as best
as we can. You know, it's a really personalized service
to to to all of them. And the second one
is you know, the financial aspect. You know, it does
(02:58):
cost to bring the market players, but it's an investment
that we need to make if we want to remain
relevant on the in his calendar.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And something which is I guess different to what they
experience elsewhere is the close proximity of the corporates in particular.
Do you find that most of the players are okay
with that?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yeah, I think it's a unique offering of the tournament.
The fact that we have people, you know, dining and
drinking court side is something that you only see in Auckland.
We were a little bit concerned in the first place
about this and we're not really sure about what the
(03:41):
reaction of players might be, but they actually love it,
you know, they think it really creates a special atmosphere
around the court and everyone's you know, very well behaved,
so we've never had any issue on that front.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You mentioned lu Luson before. You know, she was only
a qualifier last year, but what a year she's had
on twenty twenty four. How big a draw card do
you perceive her to be now that she has risen
to the heights that she has.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
And she's clearly someone who could win the tournament this year.
She's in that position. You know, she she's the fourth seed.
Everyone remembers about her quarterfinal at Wimbledon, but she you know,
she she's done modern this. You know, she was also
in the final in Monterey, which is with a five
hundred event. You know, I would hope that she will
(04:30):
be in a position to win a first title at
some point this season, and why not in Auckland next week?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Absolutely? And I say, you have automated line calls for
the first time that she and Nicholas. Can you tell
us about that technology?
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yes, so this is a new requirement on the eighth
B side, and because we run back to back tournament,
we decided to use that technology for both weeks, so
basically no more line judges, but instead we've got twelve
cameras around the court that we use to call all
(05:09):
the lines, so it's a it's a lot of technology.
We have to have it on all the match courts,
so it's three courts times twelve cameras. There's a lot
of technology involved. But that's just the way that the
game is going these days.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
That sounds like a big investment too, is it money wise?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Yeah, it's a big investment. I mean it's it's it's
in the region of one hundred and fifty thousand US
dollars just for that technology for the for the two weeks,
so it's it's significant, but it's a it's a new
requirement from the tools.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
So just the chair umpire and helped by the cameras,
that's how it works.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Now, Yes, exactly. Wow. And then we have a we
have a crew on standby of line judges just in
case the technology failed, just to make sure, you know,
we can continue the matches if there's any glitch with
the system.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
As the tournament plays out across the weakerhead and then
into the means tournament, what do you find yourself doing
mainly what takes up most of your time.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
At this At this stage, you know what. Once the
tournament starts, it's it's a lot of time, you know,
being spent with the players just to make sure we
catter for all the needs, you know, listening to their
requests in terms of you know, match scheduling or you
know practice, and also a lot of time spent with
(06:32):
all of our sponsors, you know, trying to make sure
that they get the best return on the investment.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Do you actually get to watch any tennis?
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I do. I do watch some tennis, a lot of
most of it is on the screen, not not some aslive,
but are trying to get some a few games here
and there if I can.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
And you keep an eye on the weather forecast, no
doubts looking okay, I think for the week you hit.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yeah, it's looking good so far. It's pretty windy though,
which is always a bit of a challenge, but hopefully
that will come down and then I'll have a nice fortnite.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Congratulations on pulling these wonderful fields together, Nicholas, all the
best for a wonderful fortnight ahead. Thanks for taking the
time for a chat this afternoon. Thanks very much, Thank you, No,
thank you, Nicholas. Nicholas Lampa and their tournament director of
the ASB Classic. The draw for the women's competition is
only about ten minutes away. Madison Keys is the top seed.
Alise Mertants from Belgium number two seed, Amanda n Samova
(07:32):
of the United States third seed, and Lulu Sun the
Key week as high as any New Zealander has been
seedings why she is the fourth seed. Naomi Osaka and
Emma Rodcanu Grand Slam winners are also among the top
eight seeds. We'll bring you the draw when it is
made over the next hour or so. Seven Away from one,
News TALKSB for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.
(07:55):
Listen live to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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