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Sport Nation
Kiwi doubles superstar Routliffe confirms return to ASB Classic
Sport Nation • September 10th, 2025 8:37 am
Photo: Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic
The ASB Classic line-up has received a boost in the form of a double dose of high-profile local talent.
New Zealand women's No. 1 Lulu Sun and Kiwi doubles ace Erin Routliffe have both confirmed they'll be at the annual showpiece at Auckland Stanley St on January 5-11.
Routliffe is fresh off her second US Open doubles title in three years alongside Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski, having also made the final of Wimbledon last year.
The Canadian-born 30-year-old is currently ranked No. 3 in the WTA women's double rankings.
After missing last year's edition due to injury, Routliffe broke the news to Sport Nation Mornings of her plans to get back into the fold in Auckland come January.
"I'll be back," Routliffe told co-host Riccardo Ball.
"I talked to Lulu a couple of weeks ago. She said she's coming back. I was like, 'see you there'.
"I missed Auckland last year because of my injury, so I definitely won't miss it this year. I'll definitely be there."
Having climbed as high as No. 39 on the WTA rankings after her staggering run at Wimbledon, Sun has struggled to retain those heights but hopes a return home provides some inherent comforts.
"After injury early in the year, there was a lot of things that were all over the place," said Sun.
"It’s not been the easiest of season. Last year was my best season and this year I have been struggling.
“Last year I came into the WTA tournaments as a new player. This year I had expectations and put a lot of pressure on myself especially earlier in the year. I am looking to get back to that consistency.
My goal is to get things back on track and back into the top 100.”
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