Great matches, an attractive semi-final, top entertainment and a great atmosphere marked another edition of the WTA tournament in the city under Biokovo.
The Czech Sara Bejlek won the WTA Makarska Open by Valamar. She dominated the final and convincingly defeated her rival Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva 6:0, 6:1 in just 56 minutes.
It just didn't work out for the Andorran tennis player. Fatigue certainly left its mark on the game after Saturday's semi-final marathon match with Serbian tennis player Lola Radivojević. The game, which was uncertain until the end and lasted almost three and a half hours, was exhausting.
“I would like to congratulate Sara and thank everyone for coming to watch the match. I have had an incredible week here and I am grateful for everything. It was wonderful,” said Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Both Bejlek and Jimenez Kasintseva are 19 years old, both played a great tournament and deserved to reach the final. However, Bejlek was the favorite for many. On her way to the trophy, she defeated Petra Martić in the second round, and in the semifinals, the top seed from Australia, Maya Joint.
“Congratulations Vika, you were incredible and you should be proud of yourself. Thank you to the audience who supported me last week. Thank you to everyone who was with us - the organizers, sponsors, supervisors, ball collectors... What you have done this week has been incredible. You are amazing! I almost forgot about the coach, thank you for the whole week,” said Bejlek.
The trophy was presented to the winner by the representative and envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament, Ante Sanader, the finalist by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Prime Minister's envoy Josip Pavić, and flowers were presented to the tennis players by the Mayor of Makarska, Zoran Paunović.
A great spectacle for next year has been announced
"Thank you to everyone who came. You have truly shown that Makarska is a top host and that it loves women's sports. The whole week was fantastic. The semi-final matches were incredible, on the level of the Grand Slams. See you next year at the twentieth edition of the WTA tournament. I promise you a spectacle," said tournament director Feliks Lukas, who was presented with a plaque by supervisor Maria Cristina Barbarano on behalf of the WTA association for ten years since receiving a license for the tournament in Croatia.
The final day began in a showy tone. Before the match, Sven Maretić and Ante Kolunđija played wheelchair tennis. This has already become a tradition at the tournament. Mr. Perfect Šime Elez and Miloš Mićević from the popular RTL show also stopped by Makarska. They also played tennis on the central court. They were helped by the famous Kaštela tennis player Tena Lukas and the Australian Maya Joint. The winner of the HRT show The Voice Kids Croatia, Marino Vrgoč, also sang to the audience. After the match, he sang Mate Miša Kovač's song "Ako me ostaviš", and the party continued with a concert by Frajli.
See you next year!
Makarska, June 8, 2025.
Photo Bogdan Klarić.
