Cameron Norrie will play in Auckland for a 10th time. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Fresh off a victory over world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, the biggest win of his career, New Zealand-raised British tennis player Cameron Norrie has confirmed he'll return to Auckland's ASB Classic in January.
It will be the 10th time the 30-year-old will compete at the tournament.
Norrie, who rose to a career-high No 8 in the world, has worked his way back from a lengthy injury layoff to reach No 31 this week.
His victory over Alcaraz this week has moved him into the third round at the Paris Masters and will likely result in his ranking rising to No 27 next week.
Winner Britain's Cameron Norrie, right, shakes hands with Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after their men's singles match on day two of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Paris. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff
The 1.88m left-hander learned the game at Bucklands Beach Tennis Club and was a regular fan at the ASB Classic as a youngster.
He moved to the US on a tennis scholarship before switching tennis allegiance to Great Britain, where his parents were born and where he was able to receive significant support and backing.
He first played at the ASB Classic as a teenager, twice finishing runner-up including in 2019, where he dropped just one set all tournament before losing to American Tennys Sandgren in the final. He was also runner-up two years ago against French veteran Richard Gasquet after winning the first set.
Norrie will return buoyed by his form and the victory over Alcaraz.
"Massive, so big for me. I have been coming back from my injury. I have just tried to enjoy my tennis in the second half of the year and I was able to do that and to get a win like this, the biggest of my career, my first over a world No 1 and especially against the most confident player in the world right now," Norrie said.
Cameron Norrie Photo: DAVID GRAY
ASB Classic tournament director Nicolas Lamperin is delighted that Norrie will return to Auckland.
"Cam learned the game in Auckland and he spent a number of years as a young fan watching here which fuelled his desire to become a world-class tennis player," Lamperin said.
"There is no-one who would like their name on the trophy at the ASB Classic more than Cam. We are indebted to his ongoing support for our tournament, and we are sure that his fans, especially from the Bucklands Beach Tennis Club, will be out in force to support him.
"Tennis is a massively challenging game, but made even more difficult when players face the extra challenge of returning from injury.
"No-one works harder at his craft and gets the more out of his game than Cam. And off the court, all our ASB Classic team and our sponsors cannot speak more highly about his support for our tournament and the way he conducts himself back in Auckland."
Lamperin said he is negotiating with several other players and hopes to announce a further key signing next week.
The 2026 ASB Classic takes place in Auckland from 5-17 January.
