WELCOME TO
THE FAMOUS TENNIS PARTY
AMAZING TOURNAMENT HISTORY
With a thirty-two-year tradition, the international Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag is the oldest tennis tournament in Croatia and is without a doubt one of the most admired and respected tournaments in the whole of Europe.
A fantastic tennis party that always stands out in the ATP calendar as the place of world-class tennis filled with a rich on and off court programme for tourists with gourmet and entertainment events for all tennis lovers and friends to enjoy. Even if you are not a tennis enthusiast you will love it!
The Umag tennis center is one of the most important social events in Croatia, drawing not only Croatia’s top players but also its political, business and show business elite.
The Return of Cult Tennis Matches
The extraordinary exhibition matches bring people from all over the world to come and watch. We all remember Goran Ivanišević and Goran Prpić from Croatia who played in the finals of the Umag tournament way back in 1990, beginning the magical tennis story of the amazing tennis courts around Stella Maris resort and beaches.
In 2019 a live replay of the legendary Wimbledon 2001 final between Goran Ivanišević and Patrick Rafter, which is written in the stars as part of the tennis history for all tennis and sports lovers worldwide, especially Croatian fans. This rematch brought back lovely memories of the success that wrote Goran into the history books, winning the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Every year, the tournament and its side programme draw more than 100,000 guests, turning Umag into an international center of tennis, beauty, fun, socializing, and the flavors and scenery of Istria.
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The Goran Ivanišević ATP Stadium
Although Goran Ivanišević may have never won Umag, in the end, Umag won him. The large tennis stadium located right on the beach at Stella Maris resort, where the ATP Plava Laguna Croatian Open has been held since 1990, bears witness to this endless love. In 2016, Umag’s central, seashell-shaped stadium received a new, but already famous name – Goran Ivanišević ATP Stadium.
About the stadium
- Built in 1990
- Designed by famous Croatian architect Marjan Videc.
- Has 4,000 seats.
- Located on the beach at Stella Maris Resort.
- 2km from the center of Umag.
- Shaped like a seashell.
Goran and Umag, Umag and Goran
The famed Wimbledon champion faltered in the finals at the ATP tournament in Umag, but Umag didn’t hold his loss against him. Quite the contrary – he continued to visit Istria’s tennis oasis and promote the tournament across the world. This fateful connection has finally been immortalized in the beautiful shell of the stadium that bears his name.
What a wonderful tennis tournament
Umag’s championship trophy has been raised by Thomas Muster, Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Moya, Tommy Robredo, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Marcelo Rios, Nikolaj Davidenko, Fabio Fognini, Dominic Thiem, and Goran’s student Marin Čilić. The long list of greats who gave all the had on Umag’s sunny courts is equally impressive: Rafael Nadal, Novak Đoković, Juan Martin Del Potro, Gustavo Kuerten, Sergi Bruguera, David Ferrer and Gaël Monfils – just like Goran, they never heard “What a Wonderful World”, the unofficial hymn of the tournament’s closing ceremonies, played in their honor.
The Love for Tennis… and so much more!
But this isn’t the only song you can hear at Goran Ivanišević stadium. Numerous performances by local and international stars of various genres have been held as a part of the tournament’s Party Nights music programme, from heavenly arias performed by opera prima donna Montserrat Caballé to the fiery atmosphere provided by famous DJ Redfoo. The pearls from Umag’s shell thrill the town’s residents as well as guests. In partnership with the popular Exit Festival, Sea Star Festival draws thousands of young people to Umag every spring and turns the stadium into the happiest stage in Europe.
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TENNIS PARTY
