Lulu Sun, the rising New Zealand tennis star, has been named as the first feature player for the 2025 ASB Classic in Auckland, thanks to her remarkable performance at Wimbledon where she reached the quarter-finals. This achievement marks the highest singles ranking for a New Zealand player since Marina Erakovic, with Sun climbing over 200 places to a career high of 53 in the world rankings. Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin emphasized the significance of showcasing local talent, stating that it's been a long time since New Zealand had a prominent player in singles. Sun expressed her excitement about returning to the ASB Classic, highlighting the importance of playing in front of her home crowd. Tickets for the tournament will go on sale soon, with the event scheduled to run from December 30, 2024, to January 11, 2025. Sun's rise signals a promising future for New Zealand tennis as she continues to gain international recognition.