The Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard is the last big name to be added to the field for this summer's ASB Classic women's tournament in Auckland.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bouchard was a Wimbledon finalist in 2014 and reached her career high ranking of five the same year.
The 24-year-old has slipped to 88 in the world rankings.
Bouchard is upbeat about her 2019 season following some strong results at the end of 2018. She reached the quarterfinals in Birmingham, Gstaad and Taipei as well as the semifinals in Luxembourg going down to eventual winner and defending ASB Classic Champion Julia Goerges.
And she's looking forward to coming back to the ASB Classic to start her year.
"I am really excited to be coming back to Auckland. I came there when I was very young and remember it being so beautiful. I'll be focused and ready to go, but I hope to see a little more of Auckland this time around.
"I felt really strong in my last couple of tournaments and it was nice to reach a semifinal at the highest level again. I know how to be a top ten player and I feel like I'm doing all the right things to reach my goals in 2019."
The field contains three former world number ones, three Grand Slam champions, the defending champion, and an Olympic gold medallist.
Eugeinie Bouchard into Wimbledon final. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Other name players include Caroline Wozniacki, defending champion Julia Goerges, Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams.
World number three Wozniacki, the current Australian Open champion, will be the top seed.
Belarusian Azarenka will be returning to the ASB Classic after her previous appearance in 2006. The former world number one is currently ranked 51 after taking some time off following the birth of her son, Leo, in December 2016.
Goerges will be 2nd seed for the tournament after her career best year on tour.
"I think this is the deepest and most exciting field we have put together. There are genuine global superstars, players we know play incredibly well here in Auckland and some new faces that are looking to make their mark," said Budge.
Full list of main draw players for the Women's ASB Classic:
1. Caroline Wozniacki (3)
2. Julia Goerges (14)
3. Su-Wei Hsieh (28)
4. Petra Martic (32)
5. Barbora Strycova (33)
6. Venus Williams (39)
7. Kirsten Flipkens (48)
8. Alison Van Uytvanck (50)
9. Victoria Azarenka (51)
10. Sofia Kenin (52)
11. Monica Puig (53)
12. Viktoria Kuzmova
13. Rebecca Peterson (59)
14. Timea Babos (60)
15. Marketa Vondrousova (68)
16. Johanna Larsson (77)
17. Mona Barthel (80)
18. Lara Arruabarrena (82)
19. Stefanie Voegele (83)
20. Polona Hercog (84)
21. Tamara Zidansek (86)
22. Sara Sorribes Tormo (87)
23. Eugenie Bouchard (88)
24. Madison Brengle (89)
