Two major international tennis players will headline next year's new look ASB Classic tennis tournament.
The current ASB Classic women's WTA tournament and the men's ATP tournament will combine after ASB announced a new five-year sponsorship agreement with Tennis Auckland.
French superstar Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and former world number five will head to Auckland for the first time to lead the men's field.
Headlining the ASB Classic Women's field for the third consecutive time will be Venus Williams.
The former World number one, who has formed a love affair with the Auckland event in recent years, will be looking to improve on her incredible 46 career titles and defend her 2015 crown.
ASB Chief Executive Barbara Chapman says ASB is delighted to bring the women's and men's fields together under one tournament name.
"The ASB Classic has a proud history of attracting some of the world's best players to New Zealand," Chapman says.
"The event is acknowledged by players and fans as a highlight on the women's and men's global tours. Our ongoing commitment to supporting tennis in New Zealand will see the ASB Classic tournament continue to delight players and fans alike with two weeks of exceptional tennis in a uniquely fun and intimate environment."
Tournament Director, Karl Budge says this is a hugely proud day for the ASB Classic and New Zealand's international tennis tournaments.
"It is 60 years since the tournaments commenced in Auckland and to have our future secure thanks to the expanded support of ASB gives us real confidence in how we are viewed as a major sporting event," Budge says.
Commenting on the signings Budge added, "Jo is a true superstar of the tennis world and someone we have chased for three years. He has amassed almost $23million in career prize money, made it to the semi-finals and beyond at Grand Slams six times and is just one of those guys who entertains both on and off the court. He will be huge for us."
"Venus has really made Auckland her own over the last couple of years winning the title this year and making the final in 2014. We have been so privileged to have her support and I have no doubt she will look to add another ASB Classic trophy to her bedroom wall."
Commenting on the move to combine both the men's and women's events, DB Breweries Managing Director Andy Routley says that both the organisation and the Heineken brand are fully supportive of creating a single, world class tennis tournament for Auckland.
"We are delighted that our long-standing partnership with the tournament will continue, as the ASB Classic moves into an exciting new phase and Heineken remains a key partner and official beer of the tournament," Routley says.
The new two-week long ASB Classic will feature the women's field in the first week followed by the men's field in the second week, running through early January to kick off the international tennis season.
ASB Classic | ASB Tennis Arena | January 4-16, 2016