World Tennis Tour Timaru Countdown is On as Top Stars Return

Photo: 2025 Men's Singles Runner-Up Yu Hsiou Hsu, who is returning in 2026.

Timaru’s Trust Aoraki Tennis Centre is once again being transformed into an international tennis venue, as some of the best up and coming talent from the World Tennis Tour heads to town from 9-15 March.

After winning global recognition as one of the best events on the tour by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the event has once again attracted a strong lineup of players from a diverse range of countries.

The projected top seed is world #320 Australian Destanee Aiava, who recently made global headlines after announcing her retirement at age 25. Last year Aiava was the talk of the early Australian Open rounds, making it to the third round at her home slam defeating 10th seed Danielle Collins.

Australia’s Elena Micic, ranked #375, Great Britain's Emily Appleton, ranked #425, and Finland’s number one player Anastasia Kulikova, ranked at #504 round out the projected top seeds.

New Zealand #2 Monique Barry leads the Kiwis in the women’s draw, with fellow New Zealand representatives Aishi Das and Jade Otway vying for a place in the main draw.

In the men’s tournament, last year’s runner-up Yu Hsiou Hsu from Taipei returns as the highest ranked player at #221.

Five Australians make up the bulk of the top eight with rankings that range from #375 to #541. These players include 2024 EVES Open Tauranga Champion Moerani Bouzige, and 2025 Bayleys Open Hamilton runner-up Tai Sach, plus Li Tu, Omar Jasika, and Jake Delaney.

Ajeet Rai leads the New Zealand men’s contingent, fresh from his contribution to the triumphant New Zealand Davis Cup team, who have qualified for a huge World Group I clash with Japan later in the year after a 3-2 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Whangarei two weeks ago.

An exciting group of young New Zealand players are vying for the all-important wildcards, including Matthew Browning, Finn Emslie-Robson, Cody Atkinson, and Dan Milburn.

Another notable name en route is Jamie Mackenzie, who was born in New Zealand but moved to Germany before he became a teenager and plays under the German flag. While ranked at #1048, he is one of the world’s most prolific juniors, with an 18 & under junior ranking of #9 in the world currently.

Tennis South Canterbury General Manager Peter Burt says the community is already feeling the buzz of the event.

“Tennis is in a really strong position here in South Canterbury, with player numbers up and a real interest in our game once again. Having the World Tennis Tour back is so exciting. After receiving the Recognition Award from the ITF for our inaugural event, we’re determined to go even bigger this year. Get in now and grab your tickets for finals weekend because they won’t last long!”

World Tennis Tour Timaru is free to attend from Monday 9th March to Friday 13th, with ticketed sessions for finals weekend on Saturday 14th March and Sunday 15th March.

Corporate boxes have officially sold out. Ticket sales and event info can be found here.