There will definitely be an ASB Classic in 2008 and most likely an even bigger event in 2009.
Talk of a big money rival tournament in the Middle East left many fearing for the future of the Auckland event.
However, tournament director Richard Palmer has received some good
news from a WTA tournament directors meeting in Melbourne.
Palmer says all the indications from the tournament are positive, and the WTA does want the ASB Classic to be a part of the tour.
He says the rules the ASB Classic would have to operate under are manageable so hopefully they can get the money together to keep the tournament going.
Palmer stresses that there still needs to be some caution as things are not totally signed off, but the plan is for the ASB Classic to go from a US $145 thousand dollar tournament to a US $225 thousand dollar event.
Palmer has confirmed the mooted WTA tournament in Doha will not go ahead next year, and he believes a rival tournament there in 2009 would not affect Auckland too much.
He says in all probability there will be another tournament during their week but it will have a smaller draw and player commitment than first thought.
- Newstalk ZB
