Croatian Premier Tennis event to be held in Osijek in June

Marin Čilić (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

ZAGREB, 22 May 2020 – The city of Osijek will play host to the Croatian Premier Tennis event early next month. 

The humanitarian tournament will feature the best current Croatian players as well as legends of the past under the slogan ‘Croatia against COVID-19’. 

Croatian Premier Tennis will be held in Osijek from 4-7 June 2020 and will feature Marin Čilić, Borna Čorić, Nikola Mektić, Ivan Dodig, Borna Gojo, Franko Škugor, Nino Serdarušić, Duje Ajduković, Donna Vekić, Ana Konjuh, Jana Fett, Lea Bošković, Tena Lukas, Tereza Mrdeža, Antonia Ružić and Iva Primorac. Former players Iva Majoli, Goran Ivanišević, Jelena Kostanić Tošić and Goran Prpić will also take part. 

Borna Ćorić (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

Because of the current situation, all matches will be played without fans at the venue but they will be able to watch on television (HRT) as well as on other platforms. 

The tournament is also a chance for players to find their form before the season resumes. 

“I am very excited that we will all play together again, but also start to raise our competitive form for, I hope, the start soon of the WTA and ATP Tour. I believe that the ratings of this special event will be great, and I am most proud that as the ambassador of continental tourism of Osijek-Baranja County, in a way, I will be the host of this unique tournament,” said Donna Vekić, who initiated the event. 

Donna Vekić (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

“We are all eager for tennis after a long break, and this is an event that will allow us to do so, and at a high level, with a commendable humanitarian note. I don’t think we can wish for more and better than that. I thank Donna, her family and the team around her for working on such a beautiful action, and we as the Croatian Tennis Association (HTS) will try to help as much as possible in the organization and as a sponsor, because this is another presentation of tennis in the best light. Special thanks go to our tennis players who responded, from the current members of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup national teams, through our best juniors, to the legends,” said the president of HTS Nikolina Babić.

“After Donna’s initiative, and given the good knowledge of the mood of most tennis players in these demanding times of epidemic, we decided to organise a unique tennis spectacle in Osijek under the auspices of Osijek-Baranja County and the Croatian Tennis Association. Thanks to everyone who supported the demanding organisation in these times. We promise all participants great hospitality, and viewers via HRT, top tennis,” added Igor Vekić from ECM Global. 

Money raised through the event will be donated to the project of Croatian scientists on virus research and finding vaccines and drugs against COVID-19.