“Umag is Always in the Game”
It was back in the 1980s when the roots of today’s world famous ATP Studena Croatia Open tennis tournament in Umag were sown. The biggest names in the world of tennis come to the town every year to compete in the ATP World Tour 250. This tradition all began with the establishment of the Istraturist Tennis Camp when local tennis coaches yielded to guests’ requests for a tennis school and it continued to its peak in the 1990s by enthusiasts and with the support of the famous ex-player and coach Nikola Pilic and his tennis academy. The camp incorporates all the experience and expertise gained from working with these world class tennis professionals and federations to provide a superb tennis facility.
Croatia's Own Ivan Ljubicic
Those same roots and tradition of tennis excellence will be the foundation of the 22nd ATP Studena Croatia Open tournament to the Stella Maris Resort in Umag from 25th July – 31st July 2011. It will bring together the likes of Nikolay Davydenko, Jurgen Melzer and of course Croatia’s own Ivan Ljubicic to this popular destination on the west coast of the Istrian peninsular. The ATP match stadium is set just a few metres from the beach, which has been given the Blue Flag for cleanliness in a cosy protected cove surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation and is within easy reach of the town’s centre.
Umag Attractions
Umag is the westernmost town of Croatia, bordering coastal Slovenia. It origins stretch back to Roman times and it was in fact a small islet which the Romans then connected to the mainland. Even back then they recognised its attractiveness by making it a coastal resort and today several Roman remains are still evident along the shoreline namely at Katoro. Today Umag is considered as the tourist gateway to Croatia as it is the first destination from Italy and Slovenia, at only 10 kilometres from the main highways. It is also the first nautical entrance to the Croatian Adriatic due to its fine marina run by the Adriatic Croatia International Club - A.C.I.
Not Just Tennis
Umag’s annual tournament not only involves tennis, there is also an exciting entertainment’s programme. There will be DJ beach parties, gourmet festivals, children’s parties and beauty pageants such as the Miss Hostess competition as well as live concerts which have previously been headlined by some of Croatia’s top music stars such as Gibonni, Tony Cetinski and The Beatles Revival Band so "a splendid time is guaranteed for all"!
“Umag is Always in the Game” is this year’s tournament slogan implying that this event is at the forefront of world tennis and should never be underestimated; in fact the ATP organisation has awarded Umag a certificate of excellence several times for its staging of this event.
There is a wealth of accommodation options for tourists wishing to visit Umag during the tournament from 5-star hotels to apartments to modest yet well-equipped campsites. Be sure to book early as the ATP Studena Croatia Open in Umag always attracts many tennis fans from around the world every year.
Martin Mayhew - I'm an Englishman living in Croatia since 2003. I have a background in journalism, print production, and work as a freelancer in graphic ...
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