Sports columnist Chris Rattue goes against the tide and predicts World Cup disappointment for the men in black.

In every sporting superstar's life you can point to a flashpoint, where their life made the jump from ordinary to extraordinary.

From Tiger Woods admitting infidelity to Alberto Contador blaming a piece of meat, 2010 provided plenty of sound bites.

Maria Sharapova is the difference between a highly anticipated week at Stanley St and a fairly flat ASB Classic field.

The world's highest-paid female athlete, glamorous tennis star Maria Sharapova, has arrived in Auckland for the ASB Classic.

New Zealand tennis No 1 Michael Venus has been handed a wildcard for the Heineken Open in Auckland next month.

In its long history, the NZ Residentials can have had few finals days as short as this.

A group is set to protest against Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer playing at the ASB Classic for a third straight year.

He might be the world No 15 but Nicolas Almagro has plenty to prove to New Zealand tennis fans.

World No 15 Nicolas Almagro has been given a wildcard entry into the Heineken Open.

Tennis Auckland is confident facilities will be up to standard in time for the ASB Classic and Heineken Open next month.

We like to think Richie McCaw has to deal with intense expectations but what about the hopes of a billion people?

A familiar feel to the Heineken Open in January, with a number of players returning to Auckland.

Marina Erakovic is hoping next year's ASB Classic will provide the launch pad to get her tennis career back on track.