Martina Navratilova proved she has lost none of her old spark in the 6-4 6-4 exhibition win over Monica Seles at the ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland.

The American veteran showed her class, and some of her humour, before a sell-out crowd which included Prime Minister Helen Clark.

It was the first time either tennis legend had played in New Zealand and they were determined to put on a show.

It was Navratilova's precision at the net which tipped the match her way, although the run out was also a useful lesson for Seles, who last played a competitive match in 2003 before suffering from a string of injuries.

Navratilova broke Seles twice in each set to claim victory and she admitted she would have liked to have stayed on court for longer.

"It was so much fun. I hope the crowd enjoyed it as much as we did. It was a treat to be front of a crowd like that," she said.

"I try to have some interaction with the crowd but not too much because I start losing concentration, it's a fine balance between concentrating on what you have to do on court and staying relaxed and having a good time with the crowd.

"I did it pretty well today. I lost my focus for one game in the second set when I lost my serve. That was the only game I played poorly in the match."

Navratilova came into the match brimming with confidence after a semifinal appearance in the Australian Open mixed doubles.

The 48-year-old was full of praise for her opponent.

"She has not played for such a long time. It's difficult to jump into it like that. There is no warm-up. I am a little more match tough that Monica.

"She hits the ball great when she is set for it, it's just getting to the ball that's tricky. That can take a little time to get back. She hit some screamers out there."

Seles can gain her revenge when the two face each again in the second and final exhibition match in Christchurch on Thursday.