Croatian Tennis Legend Goran Ivanišević Gets Stadium Named After Him
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Goran at the stadium in Umag to be named after him next week
The greatest Croatian tennis player of all-time, and one of the nation’s most iconic sportspersons, is to be honoured with a stadium being named after him…
Organisers of the oldest Croatian ATP tournament, the Croatia Open in Umag, are to honour Goran Ivanišević by naming the centre court stadium at the Stella Maris complex after him, Tportal.hr reports.
The naming of the ATP stadium in Umag will be part of marking the 15th year anniversary since Goran won the Wimbledon title. Also part of the celebrations will be a march between the legendary Croatian and former American star Andre Agassi.
Soon to be the Goran Ivanišević stadium
“The decision to name the stadium after Goran was one of the easiest and fastest which we have had to make. Goran is a great friend of our tournament in Umag, but above all he is a great Croatian sportsperson and our only Wimbledon winner,” said Ronald Korotaj, director of Istraturista and the tournament organising committee.
“Although I did not play often in Umag, that final in 1990 kick-started my career in a way. After Umag I made the quarter-final at Roland Garros, the semi-final at Wimbledon, I won my first title in Stuttgart…Because of everything Umag has a special place for me as in a way that is where it all started,” said Goran Ivanišević, who is honoured that the stadium will carry his name.
The stadium name change will occur on 16 July, just before Ivanišević and Agassi take to the court to play their exhibition match at the ATP Konzum Croatia Open.
Goran was the only player to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon as a wildcard. He made the final also in 1992, 1994 and 1998. He won 22 titles in his career and had a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world. Today he coaches Marin Čilić.
