The Makarska tournament from the WTA 125 series has left behind the world’s biggest cities and most renowned destinations. Victory slipped through its fingers by the narrowest of margins.
The WTA Makarska Open has achieved a historic result. According to the official vote by players, organised by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the renowned Makarska tournament has been named the second best tennis tournament in the world in the WTA 125 series, leaving more than 50 tournaments behind it. In a tight finish, it went head to head with the Nordea Open from Båstad, with the Swedes edging it by the narrowest of margins.
Tournament director Feliks Lukas emphasised that this recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the players themselves.
“Recognition of this kind is of immeasurable value to us. It is the result of years of hard work, passion and dedication from the entire team. I sincerely thank the City of Makarska and Valamar, as well as all the partners and collaborators who believed in this story from the very beginning. Without that support, this success would not have been possible,” said Lukas.
MAKARSKA AHEAD OF THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED DESTINATIONS
With this exceptional recognition, Makarska has confirmed that outstanding organisation, vision, years of dedication and enthusiasm can outshine the world’s biggest cities and most celebrated tourist destinations. Among the tournaments that Makarska surpassed are those held in cities such as Canberra, Mumbai, Cancún, Paris, Rome, Palermo, Warsaw, Valencia, Mallorca, Porto, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Austin and many others.
The Makarska tournament, which relocated from Bol five years ago, offers a unique combination of top-level sport and an unforgettable experience. It is played right by the sea, in a stunning Dalmatian setting, with a fantastic entertainment programme, all within one of the most beautiful sports venues in the world.
A UNIQUE DESTINATION ON THE WORLD TENNIS MAP
Beyond the sporting achievements, this recognition carries even greater weight given that the same team is now behind another major WTA project — the first ever tournament in Dubrovnik, running from the 23rd to the 29th of March, opening the global clay court WTA season, while it traditionally closes at the Makarska tournament, held from the 1st to the 7th of June. In this way, Croatia — thanks to the knowledge and experience of a homegrown team — secures a unique place on the world tennis map.
“This is a great and well-deserved recognition for Makarska, but above all for the entire tournament organisational team. The fact that the players themselves, competing against more than 50 tournaments across five continents, placed Makarska second in the world speaks volumes about the level of organisation, the conditions and the atmosphere that the city creates together with its partners. I would like to thank tournament director Feliks Lukas for his vision and perseverance, as well as partner Valamar and everyone who has been building this project over the years. Results like these confirm that Makarska has the capacity to host world-class sporting events outside the peak tourist season, and that it is increasingly positioning itself as a city of sport and openness to the world,” said Makarska Mayor Zoran Paunović.
The WTA Makarska Open stands today as an example of how vision, a local community and a small but exceptionally dedicated team can be transformed into a globally recognised sporting project. This recognition represents not only the tournament’s success, but also a powerful promotion of Makarska and Croatia as a world-class sporting and tourist destination, hosting events at the very highest global level.
The official announcement on WTA’s social media and website was seen by millions of people around the world.
The award arrives in the year that marks 20 years of WTA tournament organisation in Croatia. The finest gift imaginable for Feliks Lukas and his team.
