As of today, Umag's ATP Stadium carries a new name, that of Goran Ivanišević. The renaming ceremony, which was attended by Goran Ivanišević and his family, marked the festive moment. The ceremony was also attended by Andre Agassi and Juan Carlos Ferrero, as well as Istraturist director and chairman of the tournament's Organizing Committee Ronald Korotaj, and tournament director Lawrence Frankopan.
"This is a Croatian tournament and we have been organizing it for the past 27 years. Regardless of how much we love this 'shell' of ours, we thought that, if this was a Croatian ATP tournament, if Croatian players competed in it and if we here gave them an opportunity to make it on the international tennis stage, we should then motivate and encourage them to do even better here. And since we know the person who has given the most to the Croatian tennis, it wasn't difficult to decide that the ATP Stadium would be named after Goran Ivanišević," Ronald Korotaj explained.
Lawrence Frankopan admitted he had long wanted to pay such a tribute to Goran Ivanišević. "My big goal and dream was to reward Goran for everything that he had given to the Croatian tennis. Goran, thank you!" For Goran, the moment was very emotional. "It's a bit weird but I am truly honored and it's a huge responsibility. I would like to thank Istraturist, Lawrence Frankopan and the Lukšić family for all this. My family is here with me today and they are the ones who got me to where I am today. I would also like to thank all my coaches who have made me a better player and a better man, as well as all those who have always been by my side, those who cheered me on but also those who criticized me - even they have made me better. Hopefully, the Croatian players will do much better here as they will be playing at the Goran Ivanišević Stadium," our best tennis player said smiling.
Goran was also congratulated by both Agassi and Ferrero, and he cut the ribbon in front of the Stadium's name with the help of his children, who had yet another reason this evening to be proud of their father.
As of today, Umag’s ATP Stadium carries a new name, that of Goran Ivanišević. The renaming ceremony, which was attended by Goran Ivanišević and his family, marked the festive moment. The ceremony was also attended by Andre Agassi and Juan Carlos Ferrero, as well as Istraturist director and chairman of the tournament’s Organizing Committee Ronald Korotaj, and tournament director Lawrence Frankopan.
