Kia Tennis Tournaments A Smash Hit

November, 2011
Kia Tennis Tournaments A Smash Hit

Kia is returning to the tennis courts for a fourth year as titles sponsor of the ASB Classic in early January 2012 and as the official vehicle sponsor for the men’s Heineken Open the following week.

That month also sees the tenth anniversary of Kia becoming the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne, one of the best global grand slam events.

Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand describes the tennis association as a major partnership that is all about “supporting a popular sport and lifestyle embraced by many New Zealanders”.

"As a company we have strong ties with active lifestyles and we see this as a fantastic opportunity to offer our support to the endeavours of New Zealanders participating locally and at a world-class international level," he adds.

Mr McDonald says the two local events link well with Kia’s involvement with the Australian Open, as well as support of Davis Cup Tennis and the brand’s global tennis ambassador, Rafael Nadal.

Meanwhile, increasing attention goes onto the Auckland women’s event which will have one of the best fields in the tournaments history with the top 20 players now confirmed. The top eight seeds for the tournament will be ranked among the best 30 players in the world, with the unseeded world No.1 and seven time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams adding the superstar element.

While Venus Williams will draw significant public focus at the Stanley Street courts, the event will also be marked by the welcome return to form of local star Marina Erakovic, following injury and a long recovery. Her semi final appearance in the Wimbledon doubles this year and a WTA doubles win in Linz, Austria, in October has seen her doubles ranking rise to 48, and with a 51-to-17 win/loss ratio in singles this year she is now up to 61, after starting the year at 350.

Currently back in New Zealand training for the ASB Classic, Marina is once-again behind the wheel of a Kia Soul, which she helped to launch in this market two years ago. Other players will get to experience the 8-seater Kia Carnivals which will be used to transport players for the ASB Classic and the Heineken Open in luxurious comfort, with event officials utilising Kia Ceratos.

The Kia-backed ASB Classic starts runs from January 2-7, 2012, with tickets already on sale at Ticketek.
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