The best Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic is
ready for the 23rd ATP Vegeta Croatia Open and
believes that after 22 years, the time has finally come for the
winning trophy to once again belong to a Croatian player, although
this year the competition is stronger than ever.
Cilic arrives in Umag on a wave of optimism because of great
matches in several tournaments, especially in the Queen's Club,
which he won. "My form is on the rise, I am finally satisfied
with my game. As with all Croatian players, Umag is at the top of
my priority list every year. I was very close to winning last year,
I believe that I can do more this year. I hope it is time for a
Croatian tennis player to finally win Umag after 22 years!"
says Cilic.
Along Marin Cilic, Croatian representatives Ivo Karlović, Ivan
Dodig and Antonio Veić are coming to Umag as well. The title will
be defended by the current tournament champion, Ukraine's Alexandr
Dolgopolov. Currently the 21st ranked player in the world,
Dolgopolov won his first career title in Umag. Among those who will
return to Umag this year is the 2008 winner, currently the 16th
ranked tennis player in the world, Fernando Verdasco of Spain, and
his compatriot, winner of the 2010 tournament and Umag crowd's
favorite, Juan Carlos Ferrero, for whom this will be the sixth
appearance at the Umag-based event.
Good news travels fast and so France's Richard Gasquet, currently
the 19th ranked player in the world, has asked for a wild card to
enter Umag's tournament this year. Spain's Marcel Granollers,
ranked 23rd in the world, is also coming, along with the former
finalist, Italy's Potito Starace, his fellow compatriot Fabio
Fognini, Argentina's Carlos Berlocq and a number of players from
the emissive tourist destinations in Slovenia, Germany, etc.
The Italian Fabio Fognini, who spoke about his
experiences for the Italian Tennis magazine, confirms the high
reputation of the Umag-based tournament. ATP Umag has already
become an unavoidable date on the calendar, because the atmosphere
is wonderful in Umag, and there are a lot of Italian fans, which
means a lot to Fognini when he is on the court.
One of the best Croatian tennis players in history, Ivan
Ljubicic, who ended his career this year, will also be
present in Umag as a special guest of the tournament.
"Throughout my entire tennis career I came to Umag and that
speaks volumes how much this tournament is important and dear to
me, it was always very pleasant for me to be in Umag. I hope that
this year one of our players will succeed in winning the
tournament. However, even now that I have ended my career I was
pleased to accept the invitation of the organisers, because I feel
at home in Umag. I am glad that Croatia has a tournament at such a
high level, because it encourages the development of tennis,"
pointed out Ljubicic.
Player profiles and acceptance list...
