Croatian tennis player Borna Ćorić will be the biggest star of this year's ATP tournament in Umag.
“I won my first ATP match in Umag, and this is my favorite tournament. There would be nothing more beautiful than to win it," said Croatian tennis player Borna Ćorić at Zagreb's promotion of the 30th edition of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open, reports Gol.hr on April 29, 2019.
Ćorić will feature as the largest star of the tournament, which will be played in Umag at Stella Maris from July 12 to 21, 2019. This will be Ćorić’s fourth appearance in Umag and his return after two years. Ćorić has made the quarterfinal at Stella Maris twice and says Umag always holds special memories.
"The first time I came in 2013 I lost to Zeballos, and in 2014 I won my first ATP match, so this is my favorite tournament. It's a great honor to play there. I love to play at home, in front of our audience. I always have extra motivation,” said Ćorić, adding that he is not nervous about playing at home, but just the opposite
"I know that pressure, but I'm looking forward to it. We train for that. I hope I will play a great tournament. We can agree that nothing would be more beautiful than to win the tournament,” Ćorić said. The head of the press conference and long-time face and voice of the Umag tournament, Antonija Mandić, suggested that a suitable rival in the final would be the 2016 Umag winner Italian Fabio Fognini, who was announced as the next big star of the 30th Croatia Open.
“Not against Fognini, I’ve lost to him, it’s better that it’s someone else,” Borna replied with laughter. Tournament director Lawrence Frankopan announced his return to Umag.
"Thirty years of anything is a fantastic achievement, and 30 years of great tennis is a pride for Umag. I'm very honored to be directing the 30th edition. We worked hard to justify this achievement. Borna was not just here for free coffee, but he is committed to playing, and I thank him for that. I know it's not an easy week, right after Wimbledon. But, the players will come in great form and may come as a winner of Roland Garros,” said Frankopan.
"Fabio Fognini is coming. There could be no better announcement of his arrival than winning Monte Carlo. These are the two biggest names we can announce at the moment, but there will be more,” said Frankopan, who gave special thanks to Goran Ivanišević, who will play two exhibition matches at the stadium bearing his name. The first game will be against Goran Prpić as a rematch of the 1990 Umag final, and the second against Patrick Rafter as a rematch of the legendary 2001 Wimbledon final.
"I thank Goran for two wonderful exhibitions which will also mark 30 years of the tournament."
Neven Staver, CEO of Plava Laguna, who is the main sponsor of the tournament, thanked everyone who has participated in making the Croatia Open what it is today; one of the longest and most successful sports events in Croatia for the past 30 years.
"Everything changed in 30 years, and the only constant is the ATP Umag where everyone comes together, which secures the status of Umag as a tennis town, and the tourist promotion of Istria and Croatia,” Staver said, adding:
"Our goal is to ensure a high standard for all players, pleasant accommodation, and entertainment for all viewers and tennis fans to ensure top tennis. Borna’s presence is proof that we will have it this year,” Staver concluded.
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