ATP Auckland Preview – Who’s playing at the 2026 ASB Classic?

Written by: Stefan Jonsson | January 7, 2026
ASB Classic atp auckland

The 2026 ASB Classic ATP Auckland is shaping up to be a good event and it’s always an important step for many players ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season. We can see both veterans and younger stars in the field for this ATP 250 event. Check also our best bets for the 2026 ATP Auckland.

Tournament Overview

  • Dates: January 12 – 17, 2026 (Men’s Week)
  • Venue: ASB Tennis Centre (Manuka Doctor Arena), Auckland, NZ
  • Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
  • Category: ATP 250
  • Prize Money: Prize pool around $700,000

Key Player News and Entry List

This year’s field is particularly strong, featuring three players in the world’s top 20 and a mix of Grand Slam champions.

The Top Seeds

  • Ben Shelton (USA): The world No. 8 returns as the top seed. Known for his explosive serve, Shelton is really fun to watch and a crowd favorite looking to build on a great 2025 season. More on Ben Shelton and his current racquet.
  • Casper Ruud (NOR): The former world No. 2 and three-time Grand Slam finalist brings his top clay-to-hard court baseline game back to Auckland.
  • Jakub Mensik (CZE): Surely one of the most exciting young talents in tennis. He arrives ranked in the top 20 following a breakout year where he defeated Novak Djokovic to claim a Masters 1000 title. Look at him to challenge for the Auckland title.
shelton
Shelton is the top name for the 2026 ATP event in Auckland

The Legends (Wildcards)

  • Gaël Monfils: The 2025 defending champion returns for what he has hinted will be his final year on the professional tour.
  • Stan Wawrinka: The three-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wildcard, giving New Zealand fans a rare chance to see one of the game’s iconic one-handed backhands in person. Btw, this is Stan the Man’s last season so don’t miss the chance to see this legend.

Other Notable Entrants

  • Cameron Norrie: The Auckland-raised star returns home for his 10th attempt at the title.
  • Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: The 2m Frenchman known for hitting over 50 aces in a single match.
  • Luciano Darderi & Alex Michelsen: Rising stars who round out a very deep field.
betonline
Bet on the event at BetOnline

Fan Experience: “The Serve”

Let us know if you’re visiting the tournament and what your experience is like. The tournament hub known as “The Serve” will feature:

  • Live DJs and big screens for match streaming.
  • Auckland’s best food trucks
  • The exclusive Nike Teamwear store for 2026.

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Stefan Jonsson

Stefan is a writer at Tennisnerd since 2023 and keep the readers updated on new events, betting tips and general tennis news.