Summer has returned to Auckland and with it the ASB Classic. 

The two-week long tennis tournament begins today, and the competition is hot. 

Elina Svitolina, Emma Nacarro, and Stan Wawrinka are some of the world-class names taking to the court this year. 

Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin told Andrew Dickens it’s the atmosphere around centre court that makes Auckland unique among the tennis tournaments happening around the world. 

He says he’s never seen fans dining around the court anywhere else, and while originally he was concerned players might complain about it, it’s something they remember about the city. 

“They love the fact that fans are so engaged.” 

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