WATCH: THE GREATEST OF THE GREAT ON UMAG CLAY
Do you want to recall the fateful year of 1990, when, in the final—for the first and only time—two of our tennis players, Goran and Goran, faced each other? It was a moment that symbolically announced the rise of Croatian tennis, but also the special appeal and longevity of the Umag tournament, which today is racing towards four decades of existence.

And when we speak of the greatest in the context of the ATP Plava Laguna Croatia Open, one name stands above the rest – Carlos Moyá. A true icon of the tournament, he competed in Umag for 14 years and claimed five titles. Through a curated selection of his most memorable matches, relive the unique energy that connected him with the Umag crowd—a rare and almost unrepeatable bond in the world of tennis.

Over 36 years, the tournament’s reputation has been built not only on flawless organization, but on world-class tennis—welcoming established stars, and even more so, serving as a launching pad for future greats. In this cradle of champions, alongside Moyá, the first major steps were taken by players whose achievements would go on to transcend eras.

Revisit the early appearances of then fresh-faced talents such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, as well as the cosmic duo of the new generation—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — whose final remains one of those moments that unmistakably signal the future of tennis greatness.

Watching these young virtuosos in action, even the untrained eye can recognize greatness in the making—and they all share one thing: their journey towards the pantheon of sporting immortality began right here in Umag.

Thanks to our main media partner, Croatian Radiotelevision, which has made these recordings available, these valuable archives have been preserved and will soon be accessible to everyone


READ: UMAG TIME TRAVEL – A COLUMN AS A CHRONICLE OF THE TOURNAMENT AND ITS ERA
The viewing experience is further enriched by an author-driven column that stands as a central pillar of the project—through the analysis of selected matches, as well as through tournament archives and the broader context of each era, with a focus on the tennis world and the wider social landscape in which these moments took shape.

So, join us in discovering how the small town of Umag grew into a tennis powerhouse.
Who was known for arriving at the tournament in the legendary “Maluch”?
What are the most memorable Cinderella stories in Umag’s history, and why does the wild card carry an almost mythical significance here?
Which famous faces found their way to the stands of Stella Maris?
How did the tournament return to Croatian hands, and what is the special bond between local players and Umag?
Explore the draws of unforgettable editions, revisit forgotten details from past seasons, and uncover the records that have shaped the tournament.

All this and much, much more awaits in the Umag Time Travel column.

So step aboard the Umag Time Travel and journey back to where it all began—because where we’re going, we don’t need roads.