Čilić defending the title, Gasquet one of main favourites, Monfils on his way back to the very top
Boasting an impressive list of players, the 24th Vegeta Croatia Open in Umag will see a series of exciting tennis matches from July 18 to 28 this year. Players who left a deep mark on the Umag tournament as winners in recent years, and the exceptionally strong and engaging international tennis players, most of whom have never played Umag before, are coming to entertain the audience with outstanding matches, of which there will be plenty this year from the very first day of the tournament.
Vanja Božičković, tournament director: "We are very pleased that Marin Čilić will be playing on our courts again. He is a magnet for Umag's audience; his matches raise the quality of every tournament. Richard Gasquet is one of the world's best tennis players and also one of the most engaging players in terms of style of play; it is a joy to watch him on the court. Dolgopolov is always in top form in Umag, both on the court and outside it. Verdasco is coming back extremely motivated, he wishes to repeat the success he achieved in 2008. Gael Monfils' matches are always engaging; he is a temperamental, physically impressive player. Twenty-two-year-old Janowicz has achieved exceptional success: last year he moved up 195 places in the rankings and today he is the world No. 22 tennis player. These are the players that make tennis such an exciting sport and we will be watching all of them this year in Umag!"
This year Umag will also welcome the best Italian tennis players Andreas Seppi and Fabio Fognini, the recent quarter-finalist at Roland Garros Tommy Robredo, as well as Viktor Troicki, semi-finalist at Umag 2007. In the battle for the title of champion, German player Florian Mayer, Slovakian player Martin Klizan, Argentinian Horacio Zeballos and Spaniard Albert Montanes could also play a significant role.
Player profiles and acceptance list...
MARIN ČILIĆ
(Croatia)
Date of birth: September 28, 1988
ATP ranking: 12
ATP titles: 9
"The competition at Umag's tournament is extremely strong every year, which is why I know that defending the title will not be an easy job. Nevertheless, there is nothing sweeter than winning on home turf, which is why I will do my best to repeat the success I achieved in 2012. Playing in Umag is a particular pleasure; the excellent organization and fantastic atmosphere at the court and around it, with a large number of fans, further motivate me to deliver my best."
RICHARD GASQUET
(France)
Date of birth: June 18, 1986
ATP ranking: 9
ATP titles: 9
"My coach Riccardo, who has worked with Ivan Ljubicic as well, has been telling me wonderful things about Umag for years, so I always wanted to come and see it for myself. I almost came last year, but unfortunately did not manage it. For me it is a great pleasure, as well as a responsibility, to play in Umag this year."
ALEXANDR DOLGOPOLOV
(Ukraine)
Date of birth: November 7, 1988
ATP ranking: 24
ATP titles: 2
"I am always in top form in Umag, both on the court and outside it. This tournament has a special place in my heart as it was the first tournament I won in my career, and that is not something you ever forget. I always aim to win and I believe that, regardless of the strong competition, Umag could again be a place of triumph for me. I am looking forward to the matches in Umag, before an audience that knows tennis and likes good entertainment."
FERNANDO VERDASCO
(Spain)
Date of birth: November 15, 1983
ATP ranking: 54
ATP titles: 5
When Fernando Verdasco defeated Russian player Igor Andreyev in the third set tie-break five years ago, it was one of the most exciting and most uncertain matches in the history of the Umag tournament. A year later he did not defend the title, but he returned in 2012 and made it into the semi-finals. He spent the time between matches by exploring Umag and the surrounding area on a bicycle. He is familiar with our Mediterranean atmosphere, which is similar to his homeland Spain.
GAEL MONFILS
(France)
Date of birth: September 1, 1986
ATP ranking: 63
ATP titles: 4
"This is an important year for me, because this year I want to overcome all my previous problems. I want to come back stronger than ever and continue building my career with even better results. Umag will also give me an opportunity to make a few good videos for the video production company that I founded in Paris."
JERZY JANOWICZ
(Poland)
Date of birth: October 13, 1990
ATP ranking: 22
ATP titles: 0
"This is my first appearance in Umag and I expect a lot from it. I am looking forward to support from Umag's fans."
