When the New Zealand tournament resumes in January after a three-year absence due to Covid, teenage phenom Coco Gauff will compete.
One of the highlights of this year’s French Open was the 18-year-old American who, after making it to her first Grand Slam final, was defeated in straight sets by world number one Iga Swiatek.
The Auckland tournament, which serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open in Melbourne, will serve as the opening event for Gauff’s 2023 campaign.
Just before the epidemic began, Serena Williams won the Auckland 2020 women’s singles championship.
“I am super-excited to be returning,” said Gauff.
“I definitely missed New Zealand the last two years and I am excited to kick my year off back in Auckland.”
