Auckland's ASB Tennis Classic

Serena Williams to star in NZ

The former world number one was announced as a competitor by ASB Classic officials to compete in next year's tournament.

Williams, currently ranked at number two in the world, will be the highest ranked player ever to compete at the Auckland tournament which has attracted stars such as Venus Williams, Carolina Wozniacki and Rafael Nadal in the past.

ASB Classic organisers said they believed the American player's participation would make this the biggest event in the tournament's history.