Gael Monfils, Borna Ćorić and Fabio Fognini are the first big
names of world tennis who confirmed their appearance at 26th Konzum
Croatia Open in Umag. Umag-based ATP tournament, which last year
celebrated its 25 years of continuity, this year will take place
from 17th till 26th July and has already, confirmed to its tennis
fans that it will again offer nine days of top tennis
matches.
"We are more than thrilled to have the opportunity again to
host Gael Monfils and Fabio Fognini who are definitely listed as
the most attractive players at ATP World Tour. Gael is one of the
most talented world top tennis players. He has a charismatic
quality both on and out of the court and his physical skills allow
him to perform amazing things on court. I am sure that Umag will
welcome him as warmly as in 2013. Fabio is familiar to Umag
audience, he loves playing in front of his fans, which are always
numerous in Umag. Having both of them along with Borna Ćorić, I
believe we have began to draw up a very interesting list of players
for this year's tournament'', said tournament director
Lawrence Frankopan.
French Gael Monfils, currently ranked no. 15 in
the world, is considered one of the most exciting players at ATP
Tour, having You Tube filled with his stunning moves. As junior he
won three Grand Slam titles in 2004, and as senior he made it to
no. 7 on ATP rankings. This season, while making his way to Monte
Carlo semi-final, he won huge victory against the great Roger
Federer. In 2013 Monfils filled the stadium on all matches in Umag
until the semi-finals, when he was defeated by Fabio Fognini in a
spectacular match.
The best Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini has
been playing in Umag for eight years in a row, which launched him
to the very top of world tennis in 2008 when he won Carlos Moya in
quarter final. Much like Monfils, Fognini attracts attention with
his unpredictability, and this year he has entered into tennis
history as a second player who defeated Rafael Nadal twice in the
same season playing on clay and only fifth who has two victories
against Nadal in the whole career playing on clay as well. He is
currently no. 31 on ATP rankings.
Croatian sensation at Tour Borna Ćorić won his
first ATP victories on his way to quarter-final in Umag. Borna is
today ranked no. 53 in the world, the youngest in the world top 100
and winner of ATP award Star of Tomorrow for 2014. Since last year
tournament in Umag, he dazzled everyone by playing two semi-finals
from ATP 500 series, in Basel in 2014 and in Dubai in 2015, having
won Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray along the way.
*The photos of the tennis players herein refer to Croatia Open
Umag matches which took place in 2013 and 2014.
