Croatian tennis has embarked on a new era. This week, the ATP Challenger Tour arrives in Zadar for the first time, marking the debut of professional tennis in the historic and scenic seaside city. The tournament is the first of a record four Challengers on Croatian soil in 2021, along with two events confirmed for Split in April and another in the capital city of Zagreb in May.
The European nation has boasted a history of tennis excellence, with legendary players and longtime ATP Tour events. And now, Croatian tennis is taking a critical step forward with the return of the Challenger circuit. Players from the region will have even more opportunities to grow and develop, as they rise the FedEx ATP Rankings.
In 2020, the ATP Challenger Tour returned to Croatia for the first time in a decade, with the inaugural Split Open. This week, the debut of the Zadar Open has surged into the spotlight. The oldest continuously inhabited Croatian city, Zadar traces its origin to ninth-century BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its storied history and rich culture are matched only by its beauty. Situated along the Dalmatian Coast, picturesque views of the Adriatic Sea can be seen throughout the city.
Its no wonder players have flocked to Zadar for this week’s Challenger 80 event. The city is not new to high-level tennis, having previously hosted a pair of Davis Cup semi-finals in 2016 and 2018. This time, the tournament is being held at the recently built Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala, home to seven clay courts and situated just steps from the stunning Iadera Hotel. Iadera is the former name of Zadar given in ancient Roman times.
Gianluca Mager and Sumit Nagal led the charge this week at the Falkensteiner Resort, but both were upset in Friday’s quarter-finals. The last four will feature third seed Nikola Milojevic of Serbia facing Slovakia’s Lukas Klein and Bulgaria’s Dimitar Kuzmanov battling Nerman Fatic of Bosnia & Herzegovina, in an all-Eastern European semi-final slate. Fatic, a qualifier, is into the semis in just his fourth ATP Challenger Tour appearance.
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Off the court, the tournament organised an activity to give back to the local community, with its staff and a group of players engaging in a tree planting project. Alongside tournament director Toni Dujmenovic and Croatian Tennis Association executive director Vladimir Jovanoski, players Nino Serdarusic, Skander Mansouri, Matija Pecotic, Frane Nincevic and Luka Nincevic took part in planting 50 olive trees. Under the motto, ‘Plant a tree, don’t be a stump’, the nation-wide effort has been going on for many years. So far, more than 60,000 trees have been planted in total. Participants will forever have their own tree at the resort and received a planting certificate.
“This will surely be a lasting memory for me,” said 24-year-old Serdarusic, of Zagreb. “I admit that so far I have not encountered the planting of olives, but this time we had the opportunity to learn a lot of valuable information about this plant, which has always been home to Croatia. I will be happy to return to Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala and see how the olive tree I personally planted is progressing.”
Meanwhile, in the doubles draw, it has been a family affair for Slovenian pair Blaz Kavcic and Blaz Rola. The close friends and countrymen have brought their own special fan club to enjoy the sun, scenery and tennis in Zadar. Kavcic and Rola are accompanied by their wives and children, traveling as a full team this week. The relaxed atmosphere has certainly helped, with the duo surging into the final without dropping a set.
The tour of Croatia continues in April, with the Split Open returning for a second edition and to be followed by another Challenger 80 event at the same venue. For the first time since 2011, the circuit is back in the capital of Zagreb the week of 10 May.