Sunny day and great atmosphere ahead of the first round and the start of the tournament that everyone is praising. The great Jasmine Paolini came in via video link, Australian Joint says this is her favorite tournament, Volynets also praises it, Sherif also likes to come to Makarska.
No fewer than five tennis players drew the draw for the WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar tournament on the main stage of the Tennis Center in Makarska. In addition to last year's winner, American Katie Volynets, the 2023 winner, Egyptian Mayar Sherif, and Australian Maya Joint, there were also two Croatian representatives - Ana Konjuh and Petra Marčinko.
Jasmine Paolini, currently the fourth tennis player in the world, the highest-ranked Italian in the history of Italian tennis, did not miss to greet sunny Makarska, even if only via video call. Last year's finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, she began her meteoric rise with a victory in 2021 at this very WTA tournament, which was last held in Bol that year, and has been played in Makarska since 2022.
Tournament number one!
Jasmine Paolini lost in the final in Makarska two years ago to Mayar Sherif, last year's finalist who is happy to return to this city.
"I'm happy to be here again. This is one of my favorite tournaments. The atmosphere is extremely friendly, I don't know if I like it better on the court or in the hotel. I hope to play in the final again," said the Egyptian.
This is definitely Maya Joint's favorite tournament.
"Last year I nominated it for number one. It's beautiful here - the hotel is great, the people are wonderful, it's incredible. I can't wait to play and come back next year," said the Australian tennis player.
Croatian representatives Petra Marčinko and Ana Konjuh also love playing in this tournament. Petra is here for the third time, and Ana pointed out that this is one of her favorite tournaments and that she hopes to do better than last year when health problems prevented her from doing so.
Opponents of Croatian tennis players in the first round
In the first round, Konjuh plays against Joint, Martić awaits the winner of the qualifiers, Marčinko will play against Romanian Bulgaru, Lea Bošković against Serbian tennis player Lola Radivojević, and the toughest task will be for Tena Lukas, who was drawn against last year's winner Volynets.
"I am glad to be here again, I am determined that this tournament will be declared the best tournament in the 125 series this year. We enjoy playing between the Adriatic Sea and the cliffs of the mountain, it is truly beautiful. Last year I had a great time, the audience was great and it is nice to play in front of so many tennis fans. I am looking forward to the last tournament on clay before I move to grass," said Volynets.
Next year, a big anniversary
"We want tennis players in Makarska to feel at home, in a relaxed atmosphere and without stress. I believe that the perfect location and good weather will help a lot with that. This is the 19th edition of the WTA tournament in Croatia, next year we are celebrating a big 20 years, ten of which were organized by Lukas Sports, and we are already inviting you to a big celebration," said Feliks Lukas, tournament director.
1st round pairs
Joint (Aus) – Konjuh, Zidanšek (Slo) – Chirico (SAD), Niemeier (Njem) – Semenistaja (Lat), Sherif (Egi) – Tig (Rum), Korpatsch (Njem) – Pridankina, Bejlek (Čeh) – Romero Gormaz (Špa), Kvalifikantica – Martić (Hrv), Seidel (Njem) – Jimenez Kasintseva (And), Makarova – Vandewinkel (Bel), Marčinko – Bulgaru (Rum), kvalifikantica – Zarazua (Mex), Parry (Fra) – Davis (SAD), Bošković – Radivojević (Srb), Erjavec (Slo) – Barthel (Njem), Lukas – Volynets (SAD).
Makarska, 2. lipnja 2025.
Foto Bogdan Klarić
