Modrić and Čilić win as Croatia’s sport stars gather for charity tennis tournament

by croatiaweek
July 13, 2021
in Sport

Croatian sport starts join for ‘Game Set Croatia’ in Petrinja

(Photo credit: Marin Cilic Foundation/Envy Croatia)

ZAGREB, 13 July 2021 – Two years after its premiere in Zagreb, the pro-am charity tennis event ‘Game Set Croatia’ returned today in Petrinja.

Organised by tennis star Marin Čilić and his foundation, ‘Game Set Croatia’ saw Croatian sport stars come together for the doubles tennis event to raise money for the kids of Petrinja and the county which has effected by the devastating earthquake at the end of 2020.

Today, at the newly built multifunctional sports centre Dragutin Tadijanović Elementary School in Petrinja, famous faces like Luka Modrić, Mario Mandžukić, Ivan Perišić, Borna Ćorić, Donna Vekić, Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Dodig and Luka Cindrić joined Čilić for the charity event.

(Photo credit: Marin Cilic Foundation/Envy Croatia)

“I am terribly proud that we have reached the second edition. Everyone could enjoy the first edition, see athletes in a different sport than the one they were used to. Everyone was thrilled, that one big get-together resulted in raising a large sum of money. We athletes have a big heart when it comes to humanitarian actions,” said Čilić.

On the court, Mandžukić and young rising tennis player Patrik met Čilić and Modrić in one semifinal, whilst Kovačić and Vekić played Perišić and Dodig in the other.

(Photo credit: Marin Cilic Foundation/Envy Croatia)

Last year’s winners Čilić and Modrić would prevail in their semi-final, whilst Perišić and Dodig were too good for Kovačić and Vekić.

In the final, which was played on a first to 15 points basis, Čilić and Modrić came back from 0-4 behind to claim the title with a 15-12 win.

(Photo credit: Marin Cilic Foundation/Envy Croatia)

“I am happy to win the title and to help Marin’s foundation raise money for Petrinja,” Modrić said.

“I feel great pride now. I come to an event like this and see how much it means to these children and citizens,” Čilić said, whilst Perišić added.

“I will always support these actions when I can, it is a few hours of our time but it means so much to the people here.”

(Photo credit: Marin Cilic Foundation/Envy Croatia)

Through education, sport and encouragement programmes, the Marin Čilić Foundation seeks to provide children and youth with the space and financial support to explore their passions and turn their dreams into reality.