The governing body of tennis, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), has awarded Vegeta Croatia Open with an excellence award, the European Tournament Award of Excellence. Croatia's oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament was recognized as the Best Fan Experience because of its unique entertainment program that accompanies the excellent tennis matches, featuring not only music performances and DJ parties but also showcases of both Croatian and international cuisine at the Istria Gourmet Festival. This is Umag's fifth ATP award in the tournament's 23-year tradition.

The European Tournament Awards of Excellence are the awards that the ATP presents annually to the Europe-based tournaments that proved themselves with their excellence in different area of tournament organization. The tournaments are nominated by the ATP international staff and after a meticulous process of evaluation the nominees are presented with awards in five different categories: Best Fan Experience, Best Player Services, Most Improved Venue, Best Media Services and Best Marketing and Promotion.

"We are delighted that the ATP Studena Croatia Open has been voted as the winner of the Best Fan Experience award, among the 2011 ATP European Tournament Awards of Excellence. Umag has become well known on the ATP World Tour for its entertainment program which continues to grow from strength to strength each year. We congratulate the tournament organizers for this fine achievement," said Laurent Delanney, CEO ATP Europe.
Umag director Vanja Božičković said: "This award is a huge honor, confirming our continuous work on raising the quality of the organization. At the same time, however, it is a huge commitment - a commitment to once again provide both the visitors and the players with a top experience during the 23rd edition of the tournament, which will take place between July 5 and July 15 of this year."

Fifth excellence award so far
The Umag-based event has for years now enjoyed the reputation of one of the most interesting professional men's tournaments in Europe. This award is the fifth excellence award that the tournament has won so far. In 1998 it was awarded for Kids Promotion, in 2000 for Player Area Improvement, and in 2001 and 2005 for Tournament Operations and Outstanding Advertising and PR respectively. This year Umag joined the prestigious European tournaments that were also awarded by the ATP. Thus, for instance, Bastad won an award for Best Player Services, Rotterdam for Most Improved Venue and Halle for Best Media Services, while Paris was presented with an award for Best Marketing and Promotion.

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