February 28, 2022 - After 15 successful years in Bol, the popular WTA tournament will move to Makarska for the first-ever Makarska Open hosted by Valamar!

After 15 successful years in Bol, the time has come for a new destination, say the organizers of the WTA tournament. Its 16th edition will be held from May 30 to June 5 in Makarska! 

The magnificent sea view, great atmosphere, and excellent organization are again the strongest assets of the famous sporting event, which features the best-ranked female tennis players from Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Montenegro, Italy, China, Luxembourg, Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia - and all the winners regularly return! 

"First of all, I would like to thank Bol, its residents, and all partners on Brač for the exceptional cooperation over the past six years of leading this tournament. They were great hosts; we breathed as one and lived for this event. But the time has come for new energy and a new place. The city of Makarska, with a long sports tradition, and Valamar Riviera as a leading tourist group are the right partners for the growth and future of our event. I am convinced that this year we will bring the best of women's tennis and create a real sports spectacle in the pre-season," said Felix Lukas, director of the WTA tournament, which this year has a new name - WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar.

WTA leader Steve Simon says Croatia has always supported women’s tennis and the WTA tournament.

"Croatia is a country with exceptional success and history in organizing top tournaments dating back to 1991. We are looking forward to the Makarska Open continuing our WTA story on the beautiful Croatian coast," says Simon.

Global promotion of Makarska

"We are on a good path to turn Makarska into one of the better destinations in Europe. From the first day, our goal is to bring globally recognizable events such as the WTA tournament to our city below Biokovo. I am extremely proud that we managed to bring such a prestigious tournament to Makarska and the cooperation of the City, WTA, and Valamar, which proved to be an outstanding partner to the local community. The WTA tournament in Makarska is the first and significant step in realizing our vision of Makarska as a desirable tourist and sports destination. I am sure that the tournament will help us get on the map of destinations that offer tourists new experiences and interesting content," says Zoran Paunović, the mayor of Makarska.

Makarska locals are looking forward to promoting their city, the arrival of top tennis players, and exciting matches, and they hope that they will be great hosts like Bol.

Split-Dalmatia County could not hide their satisfaction that this tournament is still being organized in the region. 

"This is a significant international sports event that promotes our county, the whole of Dalmatia and Croatia. Thanks to its extremely positive atmosphere, this tournament is recognized, and I am convinced that it will be the same in Makarska, another beautiful Dalmatian destination. From the beginning, Split-Dalmatia County has supported the WTA tournament, which sends a picture of optimism to the world, and we all need that in these challenging times," said Blaženko Boban, County Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County.

Valamar is investing in the renovation of the Tennis Center.

"The development of the destinations in which we operate is part of Valamar's strategy of socially responsible business. Therefore, we are looking forward to this new partnership and that we will be the general sponsors of the WTA Makarska Open tennis tournament, which we will be proud to host for at least three years, for which we have signed a contract so far. By sponsoring this tournament, which includes an investment in the renovation of the Makarska Tennis Center, which will be the venue of the tournament, but also the reconstruction of the Dalmacija Places Hotel, which will be officially opened during the tournament, we prove how much Valamar Group believes in Makarska as a destination and its tourism development," said Alen Benković, Senior Vice President for Development, Property Maintenance and Technical Services at Valamar Riviera and President of the Management Board of Imperial Riviera.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 29, 2021 - The 2021 WTA Croatia Bol Open was a huge success, which is confirmed by the impressive numbers this year alone. Over 2.7 million viewers watched the women's tennis tournament around the world! 

More than 2.7 million viewers in a hundred countries, a commercial value of more than $8.2 million, a total of 84 broadcasting hours - this is what the WTA Croatia Bol Open looks like in terms of numbers.

The semifinal and final on June 11 and 12, thanks to the HTV broadcast, were taken over by 14 stations, including Fox Sports Asia, Eurosport India, London Live, TV Asahi, Dubai Sport. Thus, once again, the positive image of Bol on Brac toured the world from the Caribbean to Indonesia, India, Singapore, Japan, to Africa, the Middle East, and Great Britain.

It is known that tennis players adore this tournament, not only because of the organization but also because of the ambiance. Playing tennis on the island by the sea, near one of the biggest attractions, Zlatni rat beach, is a special experience. In addition, the Bol tournament traditionally opens the summer tourist season, and this year two important events were held with the theme of combining sports and culture - the opening of the "Jadran Lazić: 50 years of photography" exhibition at the Bol Cultural Center and the opening of the museum-gallery space in the Dominican monastery. 

The success of the 15th WTA Croatia Bol Open, led by organizer Feliks Lukas, is even greater given the circumstances in which it was organized - without spectators, with the strictest adherence to epidemiological measures and daily PCR testing at the hotel.

An incredible Croatian event at work, we can't wait to see what the next WTA Croatia Bol tournament will bring! 

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To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

June 4, 2021 - Everything is ready for the WTA Croatia Bol Open on Brač, from June 7 to 12!

Next week, Bol becomes the center of women's sports again. After a one-year break, the WTA Croatia Bol Open returns to the tennis courts of Bluesun Hotels & Resorts. Along with the main tournament winners Sara Sorribes Tormo and Nadija Podoroska, five Croatian tennis players are coming to Brač thanks to the organizers' invitation, which is a record in the history of Croatian tennis, revealed today's press conference at Split's Artičok restaurant.

Vladimir Dugandžić, Cropix / Lollipop PR

"Along with Tereza Mrdeža and Tena Lukas, this year Ana Konjuh, Jana Fett and Bernarda Pera, from Zadar with a US passport, are also coming. Thanks to HRT's satellite broadcast, as many as 16 foreign televisions will broadcast the semifinals and finals from Bol to a hundred countries. This year's tournament was organized in impossible conditions. It was difficult to find sponsors when there was no audience, so I am immensely grateful to everyone who supported us," said Feliks Lukas, director of the WTA Croatia Bol Open.

Vladimir Dugandžić, Cropix / Lollipop PR

He added that 20 tennis players are already arriving on Brač today; the bus is waiting for them at Split Airport. They are being tested immediately in cooperation with one of the most famous epidemiologists, Dr. Marija Parčina. The results are ready by the time they arrive in Bol. Due to the top organization and strict adherence to all epidemiological measures, the WTA has recognized the Bol tournament as a Covid-free destination. This is the first WTA tournament without a bubble zone for tennis players.

The organizers were supported by the Croatia national team players Tereza Mrdeža and Tena Lukas, who achieved the best results in their careers in Bol. Teresa is in top form and is extremely happy that this year, thanks to the invitation, she will skip the qualifications, and Tena is emotionally attached to the tournament in which her entire family participates.

Vladimir Dugandžić, Cropix / Lollipop PR

"Bol and tennis are loved; they live together," said Markito Marinkovic, director of the Bol Tourist Board of Bol. He said that the tennis center is in a perfect environment, a few minutes from Zlatni rat, one of the most beautiful beaches, and announced a combination of sports and art in the week of the Bol tournament. Well-known photographer Jadran Lazić opens an exhibition of his works and presents his monograph on Thursday, and the Museum of the Dominican Monastery opens on Friday.

Vladimir Dugandžić, Cropix / Lollipop PR

"The tournament is the start of the season in our hotels, and I would like to thank all our employees who do their best in these challenging times to have successful results. We have great announcements, and we are recording record bookings, even better than in 2019," concluded Hrvoje Veselko, President of the Management Board of Bluesun Hotels & Resorts.

Joško Stella, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director, said that this part of Dalmatia has all the prerequisites for the development of sports tourism, and the WTA in Bol is an example of a great tournament organization and a great opportunity to promote Dalmatia and Croatia.

Vladimir Dugandžić, Cropix / Lollipop PR

This year's 15th WTA Croatia Bol Open, the fifth organized by Feliks Lukas, is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and with the support of loyal partners - Split-Dalmatia County and County Tourist Board, Bol Municipality Tourist Board, Bluesun Hotels & Resorts, Adriatic insurance and for the first time Studenac, a well-known Dalmatian retail chain.

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May 13, 2021 - From June 7 to 12, Bol on Brač will again host tennis players at the 5th WTA Croatia Bol Open. Tournament director Feliks Lukas announced on Thursday that, despite the difficult conditions, the tournament would be the strongest so far.

As in previous years, the Bol tournament is part of the WTA 125 series and will be played in parallel with the second week of the Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament in Paris. The WTA Croatia Bol Open prize fund is $115,000, reports T.portal.

The results of the tennis players at Roland Garros will also dictate the draw for the Bol tournament, but the current list looks impressive at the moment.

"We have 13 registered players from the Top 100, and the last one is currently 126th in the WTA rankings. This year, there will be exciting names, some Grand Slam finalists like Sara Errani, players from the Top 5 who used to shine and burn, such as Eugenie Bouchard. What is especially important to me is that all the Bol winners are coming again. Aleksandra Krunić and the best Slovenian tennis player Tamara Zidanšek, who has won the tournament twice, and Luxembourg tennis player Mandy Minella, have announced their arrival. I would especially like to emphasize the invitation for Argentine Nadia Podoroska, who beat Serena Williams in Rome on Wednesday," said Feliks Lukas at a press conference held at Hotel Dubrovnik in Zagreb, where special guests were Croatian tennis players Ana Konjuh and Jana Fett who have a guaranteed invitation to the main tournament.

Marko Lukunic/PIXSELL

With them, Croatian tennis players Tereza Mrdeža and Tena Lukas should also take part in the tournament, and the list of applicants also includes Bernarda Pera from Zadar, who plays for the US. 

"I would like to thank Feliks for trying to organize the tournament even in these difficult times. It means a lot to all of us, especially the Croatian tennis players. We will see how Roland Garros will fare, and we may not even play. But if not, it is a good consolation to be at home. Bol, where the organization is always at the top level," said Ana Konjuh, who in her only Bol performance (2016) reached the semifinals. Due to a back injury, she had to hand over the match to the ultimate winner, Luxembourg's Mandy Minelli.

Ana's result was repeated in 2018 by Tena Lukas, who was defeated in the semifinal by Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek on her way to her first of two consecutive titles in Bol, which she will come to defend this year.

Vrbovec resident Jana Fett performed in 2019 but did not pass the first round.

"I am thrilled that Bol will be held this year. It is one of my favorite tournaments, as it is at home, and the atmosphere and organization are always great. Bol is a nice place, and I am really looking forward to playing there again. I hope that I will reach at least the final, if not me then one of us," said Fett.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's edition of the WTA Croatia Bol Open was canceled, as were all tennis competitions scheduled to take place between mid-March and early August 2020. This year's edition will be played under strict epidemiological measures, which include testing all tennis players upon arrival and after five days and all people in the organization who will come into direct contact with them.

"At the moment, the Civil Protection Headquarters' decision that there is no audience at sports competitions is still in force. We believe that some measures will be eased by the beginning of the tournament because the tournament is outdoors and we have excellent conditions. Of course, we are ready to hold the tournament under the measures in force," said the tournament director, referring in particular to the difficult conditions in organizing this year's tournament.

"Our budget has never been smaller, the sponsors also never fewer, but our results as organizations are never stronger. We need to tip our hats off to the sponsors who remain."

In addition to tennis, the Bol tournament is also proud of the accompanying events organized as part of the tournament, and they will not be missing this year either.

"In the last edition, we shot the official video of the famous pianist Lola Astanova, which was watched by more than a million people, which was a huge promotion, and it all happened as part of the WTA tournament. This year, our theme is a combination of art and sports, so that world-famous photographers, such as Jadran Lazić and Čedo Komljenović, will come to Bol. Jadran Lazić will present a monograph of his opus exclusively in Bol. As part of the tournament program, we will have the opening of the Museum of the Dominican Convent in Bol," announced Lukas and concluded:

"Every year, Bol has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Croatian tourism, and this year it is of great importance to show the world that Croatia is a safe destination."

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

June 10, 2019 - In a wonderful atmosphere, about a thousand and a half spectators came out to watch Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek defend her WTA Croatia Bol Open title against Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo 7:5, 7:5.

It was an uncertain match where several balls went to the side of the Slovenian tennis player. The spectators were able to enjoy a series of exciting rallies, and a more aggressive and riskier game for the Slovenian tennis player eventually brought her the victory. 

It was nice to finally see the almost filled stands of the Bluesun tennis center at the Central Court, which is proof that, step-by-step, tennis is coming back to Brač.

Before the start of the match, an excellent concert was held by Nina Badrić, and before the announcement of the winner the song "We are the champions" was performed by the world-famous pianist Lola Astanova. 

Cristina Romero, the tournament supervisor, gave a special acknowledgment for the promotion of women's tennis to the mayor of Bol, Tihomir Marinković, and Antun Plenković, director of the "old" WTA tournament in Bol, who was never able to receive proper personal recognition.

“The tournament will grow and we will try to be better, better and better,” said Marinković.

Doris Pinčić then led the announcement of the winner, and Tamara Zidanšek was thrilled with the audience at the tournament.

“Thanks to my team, but first of all to you, who were so wonderful to me,” said Zidanšek nearly in tears.

How does she feel about winning her second consecutive tournament in Bol?

“It is a special feeling, I cannot imagine Nadal winning 12 times at Roland Garros, this is fantastic,” the Slovenian admitted. 

And if she gets up to 12 titles in Bol, she’ll need to buy a place in Bol! 

“Yes, yes, I will have an apartment, it would not be bad,” Zidanšek admitted.

Sara Sorribes Tormo was not too upset about not winning her first WTA title.

“I made too many mistakes, more than usual, I'll wait a bit longer. I believe I will win the tournament soon,” said Sorribes Tormo.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 8, 2019 - Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek and Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo will play on Sunday in the big final of the WTA Croatia Bol Open. The final begins at 8 pm, and the crowd will be warmed up an hour earlier with a performance by Nina Badrić’. After the final, the world-famous pianist Lola Astanova will perform as part of the closing ceremony.

Zidansek defeated her young fellow countrywoman Kaja Juvan 2:6, 7:5, 7:5 in a real thriller in the semifinals. Juvan was near the victory in the third set and led 5:2, but failed to withstand Zidanšek’s comeback. 

"Since the first round, all matches have been difficult, and I expected that against Kaja. This is the first time we’ve played each other, and it is not easy to play against a girl from Slovenia knowing that we are so little,” said Zidanšek.

Where did Zidanšek get the power to turn the game around after Kaja led in the third set? “I had nothing to lose; I relaxed and succeeded."

Can Zidanšek defend the title? "I hope I will succeed," she said.

Kaja Juvan missed an excellent opportunity to get into the final. 

"I had a lot of opportunities, and I was close. Tamara started playing great tennis after my 5:2 lead, played a lot of winners and decided the result. It's great that we have a lot of good Slovenians in tennis, and Tamara showed me that I could do even more,” said Juvan.

Many spectators cheered for Kaja. 

"Yes, thank you to all those who supported me, they lifted me up, and in the end, even Tamara applauded. It was a pleasure to play here,” Kaja said.

There was not too much uncertainty in the second semifinal. Sara Sorribes Tormo played excellent, safe, and calm and defeated Anna-Karolina Schmiedelova 6:4, 6:0. 

"I had a lot of chances in the first set to seal the game, but in the end, I managed it all, and that was the key, that first set. My key is that I tried to mix up my play so that she did not feel comfortable on the court. I’m good friends with Tamara, this is my first WTA final, and I will fight until the last drop of sweat to win. I'm here with my mother, I am enjoying it and will even more if I win the tournament,” said Sorribes Tormo.

Mandy Minella and Timea Bacsinszky celebrated in the doubles final 0:6, 7:6 (3), 10:4 against Renata Vorac and Cornelia Lister.

You can read more about the tournament here. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 7, 2019 - Of the three winners of the WTA Croatia Bol Open, only one - Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek - made it to the semifinals. In the first round, Tamara eliminated the first winner, Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella, and in the quarterfinals, she beat Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky 7: 6 (5), 6:4, who remains without a title in Bol. The second winner, Serbian Aleksandra Krunić, was kicked out in the quarters by the young Slovenian Kaja Juvan with a score of 7:5, 6:3. Juvan has confirmed her great potential with another stellar performance. She will play in the semifinals against her fellow countrywoman, Zidanšek.

"Today was not an easy match; in the end, I was happy to leave the court. When I got the first set, it was easier,” Zidanšek said.

Bol is a special tournament for Zidanšek:

"It’s beautiful here, close to the sea, swimming ... It's so special," she added.

Kaja Juvan could be the "next big thing".

"I did not know what to expect from this tournament, which had a lot of good players in the top 100. I did not play the best today, but I passed. I was nervous against Krunić, but I succeeded."

And the semi-finals against Zidanšek?

"I know her; we play the FED Cup together. I know how she plays, good and constant. It's hard to play against someone from the same country. We're waiting for a fight, and I hope I win. My advantage is that I'm more aggressive, and Tamara has consistency in her game,” Kaja added.

Slovakian Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova did not have any major problems against Switzerland's Jil Teichmann, who she defeated 6:3, 6:4. 

"It was a bit hot, but I was happy with the game. I’ve been here three times, I hope to win the tournament, if not this year, I'll be back again,” Schmiedlova said.

Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo and Germany's Laura Siegmund met in the final match of the day. 

“She changed tactics throughout the match, but I was focused, I tried to play well, and I'm in the semi-finals," Tormo said after finishing the match 6:1, 6:0.

At 1 pm on Saturday, the doubles final will be held: C. Lister (SWE) / R. Voracova (CZE) - T. Bacsinszky (SUI) / M. Minella (LUX).

The semi-finals in the singles competition begin on Saturday at 2:30 pm on the central court of the Bluesun tennis center in Zlatni rat. The first to play is Zidanšek and Juvan.

You can read more about the tournament here. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

June 6, 2019 - After the second round of the WTA Croatia Bol Open, Croatia no longer has a representative in the tournament. Namely, the last remaining Croatian, Tereza Mrdeža, was kicked by German Laura Siegmund in an exhausting match that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The final result was 3:6, 7:6 (5) 1 for Siegmund.

Tereza Mrdeža had a good chance to qualify in the quarterfinals after taking the first set, in the second led 3:1, and had three breaks for 4:1 which she did not use. Siegmund then led 6:5, but Mrdeža reached a tie-break. In the decisive 13th game of the second set, Mrdeža led 5:4 and took two of Siegmund’s services. Siegmund, however, turned the game around to her advantage, and with 7:5 had a tie-break and equalized to 1:1 in sets.

In the third set, the experienced German picked up her game, and Mrdeža did not have the strength for a real fight.

"In the last games, this has happened a lot. It’s almost over and I need to play to the end, and then I miss it," Mrdeža said, adding: “She picked up her game when it was the most critical, I knew she would not give me cheap points in this match, I knew how to play and in the end I let her dictate it. I probably also need to believe in myself, that I can really do it,” she concluded.

Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky won 6:2, 6:4 against Japan's Nao Hibino.

"I did not have a light month and it has tortured me. My level of play has not been good, but today, I was pleased. I hope I can keep it up, I had good tactics and I’m happy. Hibino played well, and now I have to keep it up,” Bacsinszky said.

Last year's winner Tamara Zidanšek suffered, but managed to beat Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele 3:6, 6:2, 6:3.

Also convincing was Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo who beat Varvara Flink 6:3, 6:2, while Aleksandra Krunić, the 2017 winner, defeated Ana Bogdan 6:2, 6:1. Switzerland's Jill Teichman beat Belgium's Ysaline Bonaventure 6:2, 6:2.

The real drama was seen in the match between Germany's Anne-Lena Friedsam and Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. After losing the first set 4:6, Schmiedlova won the second 6:0. In the final set, the decision fell into a tie-break, where Schmiedlova won 7:6.

DAY THREE

S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) - V. Flink (RUS) 6:3, 6:2
A. Krunic (SRB) - A. Bogdan (ROU) 6:2, 6:1
L. Siegemund (GER) - T. Mrdeza (CRO) 3:6, 7:6 (5), 6:1
K. Juvan (SLO) - [5] A. Sharma (AUS) 6:1, 6:0
T. Zidansek (SLO) - S. Voegele (SUI) 3:6, 6:2, 6:3
A. Friedsam (GER) - [4] A. Schmiedlova (SVK) 6:4, 0:6, 6:7 

T. Bacsinszky (SUI) - N. Hibino (JPN) 6:2, 6:4

J. Teichmann (SUI) - Y. Bonaventure (BEL) 6:2, 6:2

You can read more about the tournament here.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

June 6, 2019 - On Thursday on the Bluesun tennis courts, about 70 boys and girls aged 7 or 12 from the elementary schools in Supetar and Bol attended Kid’s Day at the WTA Croatia Bol Open. 

On the other side of the net was WTA stars Timea Bacsinszky, Cornelia Lister and Tena Lukas, who immediately warmed up the group up by hitting balls. 

Following the warm-up came tennis lessons where the group practiced hitting balls over the net. Furthermore, ex-tennis player Tanja Lukas and volleyball player Lorena Šipić rewarded the kids with sweets made by Kraš because "With Kraš and sweets, kid’s day is worth even more!”

You can find more information on the WTA Croatia Bol Open here.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 6, 2019 - According to the weather forecast, the weekend ahead will be the first warm, summer weekend this season, and we suggest you head to the island, or rather to the town of Bol. The WTA Croatia Bol Open weekend begins on Friday, with the traditional klapa performances in the center of the city from 21:00, where Klapa Šufit and Klapa Cambi will perform.

The semi-final matches will be played on Saturday at the Bluesun tennis center in Zlatni rat at 2 pm, and the star of Saturday night will be Niki Belucci, a world-renowned DJ who will perform at the Varadero cocktail bar at 23:00!

On the day of the final, the program begins at 19:00 at the central court with a concert by the real diva of local music, Nina Badrić. At the end of the match, as part of the closing ceremony, guests will enjoy the performance of top pianist Lola Astanova. The 34-year-old Lola was born in Uzbekistan, and since 2003 has lived in the United States. She is famous for her brilliant performances of Chopin, Liszt, and Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, as well as contemporary composers and performers such as Rihanna and Queen.

For everyone who wants to enjoy Bol, top sports and great fun, tickets for the WTA Croatia Bol Open are available at www.ticketshop.com.

You can read more about the WTA Croatia Bol Open here. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.