2023 ASB Classic Community Activations

The 2023 ASB Classic was back for the first time in 3 years and this time it was as much about tennis at its grassroots as it was about showcasing top talents!

The Tennis New Zealand and Tennis Auckland team, with support from the ASB Classic, delivered two key community activations in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland this summer.

Key to the 2023 tournaments legacy was changing the perception of what tennis is, empowering all people to participate and growing the game for everyone.

Two of the biggest names in tennis were out and about in our communities in the lead up to their tournament campaigns with Coco Gauff and Cameron Norrie generously sharing their time and love of tennis with Aucklanders.

On the 30^th December, Jellicoe Park got a visit from superstar Coco Gauff. Kids from the club got the chance to chat with Coco and ask her some questions about her journey in the game and what it takes to be a pro. The lucky kids then got on court for a hit of Hot Shots Tennis with the world number 7.

The club gifted Coco a pair of beautiful pounamu earrings that she was seen wearing in her singles win at the ASB Classic.  Following her win, the club received a special thank you video for the gift, as well as the incredible hospitality and experience she’d been able to enjoy at Jellicoe Park.

Cam Norrie got his chance to get amongst our community on the 8^th of January at an Adaptive Tennis Day at Manukau Tennis Centre.

Tennis NZ and Tennis Auckland partnered with organisations from across the disability sports sector, including Paralympics NZ, Halberg Foundation, Aktive, Disability Sport Auckland, Blind Low Vision NZ, Blind Sport & Wheelchair Tennis NZ to deliver a unique opportunity for Aucklanders from across the disability community to take part in tennis activities.

The session saw Cam Norrie getting into a sports wheelchair himself and having a hit with some of our leading local wheelchair players to learn the ins and outs of wheelchair tennis .

Next Cam got to meet the incredible team from Ngatira Tennis Club and Univision and get involved in the autism spectrum disorder tennis sessions they hold. Ngatira’s sessions for blind and low vision participants were also included in the activation. Norrie tried on a set of the special black out shades used to even the playing field with other blind/low vision participants and jumped on court for a hit with the BLV group.

The session then wrapped up with Cam back in a wheelchair and taking part in a tightly contested doubles exhibition match with an incredibly talented group from Wheelchair Tennis NZ. 

Tennis New Zealand extends a massive thank you to their partners at the ASB Classic and Tennis Auckland, in particular David Frank for his continuous guidance and support. Thank you also to the countless organisations, coaches and clubs that brought these activations to light. A final thanks of course goes to Coco and Cam for their generosity, energy and support at these events.