Tournament director Richard Palmer was among those who would have been happy to see the tournament's star attraction back today for a fifth match at Stanley St.
But he was grateful for the role the 20-year-old Russian played at Auckland's annual showpiece for women's tennis.
Again refusing to be drawn on any question on appearance fees - Sanex WTA Tour rules forbid any such discussion - Palmer did admit the former world No 8 had been on his "shopping list" for years.
"Without doubt this tournament has been the best thing ever for women's tennis in New Zealand," he said. "Having four sellouts is unheard of. We now have to hope that those fringe people who came to have a look will be back.
"We have shown we can attract the best players to Auckland.
"We can't discount a Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport or other big name in the future.
"Suggestions that this was a fourth-class tournament are not right," Palmer said.
"This is a tier-four event on the WTA Tour and, as we have shown this time, we can attract players right up to the very best.
"Tiers are about points and prizemoney, not the standard of players."
The crowds - Kournikova played her four matches in front of a capacity 3400 - were with her from the time she stepped on court.
Palmer said bringing Kournikova to Auckland had been a risk but without her, there would have been half-empty stands. With her they were full.
That can only help tennis even if it takes time for spin-off benefits to become evident.
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