The first ever visit to Croatia by one of the best players in the history of tennis, Andre Agassi, and his exhibition match against Goran Ivanišević at the opening of the Umag ATP tournament have been attracting considerable interest from tennis fans in Croatia and the world. It is expected that the press conference, which Agassi and Ivanišević will hold in Umag, will be attended by the top domestic, regional and international media outlets, including the global TV station CNN and the UK-based dailies with the highest circulations, The Sun and Daily Mail, whose online edition has become the most widely read news portal in the world.
Apart from being at the press conference, during his stay in Umag, Agassi will attend the Kids' Day on Saturday, July 16, and hang out with the young tennis players, participate in a live chat and sign autographs. The admission-free children's event, which will start at 4:30 PM, will be held on the central court of the ATP Stadium at Stella Maris.
Before the exhibition match, which will kick off at 9:30 PM at the ATP Stadium in Umag, Agassi will be the honorary guest of the Konzum Croatia Open Umag's main draw ceremony.
"When I think of Croatia, two things come to mind - beautiful people and Wimbledon champion. I still remember my match in the Wimbledon final against Ivanišević 24 years ago. It was my first ever Grand Slam title and I felt this huge relief come over me because I had finally done it. At the time, the whole of Croatia believed in Goran. He had played so well throughout the tournament and was the favorite to win it, but eventually he was congratulating me on my win," Agassi recalled before arriving in Umag.
The global media presence has made the tournament in Umag an important factor in Croatia's tennis and tourism, which is why every year Istraturist, as the tournament's organizer, continually develops the tournament's recognizability internationally.
"It is our great honor and privilege to welcome some of the most relevant international media, such as the CNN or the biggest UK dailies, alongside Goran and Agassi. Their interest shows us just how big Agassi's arrival in Croatia is a big deal for the tournament, Umag and the entire Croatia," tournament director Lawrence Frankopan said.
Once again we expect to see a large number of tennis fans from the neighboring countries in the stands in Umag, primarily from Slovenia and Italy, seeing as their players traditionally play important roles in Umag. Alongside thousands of fans at the ATP Stadium and the side courts at the Stella Maris Center, the tournament will be followed live or recorded by viewers from around the world as the images from Umag will be broadcasted in 130 countries in the period between July 15 and 24.
