Kia Motors New Zealand is delighted to announce that New Zealand has been named one of 16 countries to compete in the 2010 Kia Amateur Australian Open. Kia Motors the principal sponsor of the Australian Open will host the tournament on site during the second week of the Australian Open in Melbourne. The best amateurs from 16 different nations will be selected to compete with the only criteria being that they have never held an ATP or WTA ranking point. New Zealand’s team will be the best performing amateur male and female player at the Kia Amateur Australian Open Spring Tournament to be hosted by Tennis Auckland 3-8 September at the Scarbro Tennis Centre. The winners will be flown to Melbourne Park during the second week of the Australian Open as guests of kia Motors to compete against 15 other nations. 

Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand Limited, said, "This fantastic event gives’s leading amateur players the opportunity to compete at and experience the thrill and excitement of the Australian Open. We see this as strengthening our involvement with tennis in New Zealand and and supporting the endeavours of New Zealanders participating locally and at a world-class international level. This links perfectly with Kia’s major support of the ASB Classic and Heineken Open along with our tennis ambassador Marina Erakovic.”  

Each country will have two players, 1 male and 1 female who will compete in the Kia Amateur Australian Open, a compass draw tournament comprising of singles and mixed doubles matches. All competitors are competing in separate events, while countries points are evaluated as a team points score. Steve Walker CEO of Tennis New Zealand said,"This exciting concept provides an excellent platform for New Zealand’s top amateur players to compete internationally at the Australian Open. We welcome this Kia Motors initiative and urge all leading New Zealand amateur players to take part. Kia Motors are a strategic partner of tennis in New Zealand providing major support for our flagship international tournaments the ASB Classsic and Heineken Open combined with a wonderful partnership with New Zealand’s number one female player Marina Erakovic."