“My memories of the year 1990 and Umag will never fade away. That was my only ATP title and I believe that the tournament, which is celebrating such an impressive anniversary this year, could not have kicked off better than with the final between the two homegrown players. I am always happy to return to Umag and I am especially pleased that I will be an active participant in this anniversary edition of the tournament,” said Goran Prpić.
During his impressive tennis career, the now 54-year-old Zagreb native played the quarterfinals of the Australian Open (1991) and Roland Garros (1993), and was ranked 16th on the ATP list back in 1991. His career was marked by two big team titles – winning the Hopman Cup with Monika Seleš in 1990 and the World Team Cup alongside Ivanišević and Slobodan Živojinović in 1991.
His highly successful tennis career, throughout which he had won a number of big matches (against Wilander, Edberg, Borg, Bruguera and Muster on clay, as well as against Stich and Ivanišević, among others) was cut short by numerous injuries. Once his career as a tennis player ended, he embarked on an equally distinguished career as a tennis coach. For years now, he has been one of the most prominent coaches in the world, particularly when it comes to women’s tennis.
“This is an excellent way of celebrating the 30th edition of the tournament in Umag. In those days, both Prpa and I played a number of matches on the Tour and he won most of them. There are many things that we share together, from Umag and Barcelona to all those Davis Cups… I believe people in Umag will be happy to remember that first final through this exhibition match,” added Goran Ivanišević.
Tony Cetinski to give an unforgettable opening concert after the spectacular exhibition
Following the Prpić – Ivanišević exhibition, the party will move to the Dance Arena, where one of the most popular Istrian people, Tony Cetinski, will give the opening concert. All the visitors are undoubtedly in for a real musical treat and great fun until late into the night, dancing to the rhythm of Tony’s timeless hits.
