They are both on the huge billboards along the roads in Umag and its surroundings: Hubert Hurkacz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, but they will not be seen on the center court, or any court, of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open 2025 in Umag. Tsitsipas is struggling with back problems and Hurkacz has a knee injury that requires surgery, keeping him out of action for several weeks. So unfortunately they won’t be there, but Tennisphotoworld.com will be! And fortunately, there are plenty of other attractive players who can and will provide tennis spectacle. Francisco Cerundolo impressively defeated Lorenzo Musetti, now the number 7 in the world, last year and is coming to defend his title. A title that Stan Wawrinka would love to add to win once again. As with so many tennis players, Umag was a breakthrough in his career when he won his first ATP title here. That was in 2006 in the final against Novak Djokovic. Therefore, Umag holds a special place in his heart, and the circle would be complete if he could win Umag once again at the end of his impressive tennis career. He almost succeeded in 2023, reaching the final where he lost to Alex Popyrin. During the trophy ceremony, he could hardly hold back his tears, as the disappointment as missing the title was such a great disappointment for him. This year, there is a new opportunity for the sympathetic Swiss player.

It was announced that Tallon Griekspoor would be coming to Umag for the first time this year, but he is not featured in the match schedule. However, Jesper de Jong, who yesterday won against Griekspoor in the quarter-finals in Swedish Bastad (4-6, 7-6(3), and 6-3) will come. Today he is competing in the semi-finals against Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Carabelli is also coming to Umag along with the other semi-finalists, the previously mentioned winner of Umag from last year, Francisco Cerundolo, and Luciano Darderi.

The final will be played on Sunday in Sweden.  This means there is little time for the crossing to Umag. Fortunately, three of the four semi-finalists in Bastad have a bye in Umag and will only have to make their presence felt in the second round. Unfortunately, this does not apply to Jesper de Jong, whose first match is scheduled in the first round against the Croatian crowd favorite Mili Poljicak, who received a wildcard from tournament director Tomislav Poljak. Besides De Jong, the Dutch representation in Umag consists of doubles specialists Sander Arends, Matwé Middelkoop, and Bart Stevens. Qualification matches are being held in Umag today, about which we will report more later.