An exciting new joint initiative between the Istria Tourist Board and Swedish company, the Top 12 Group, the Legends Team Cup ATP Champions Tour brings some of the most revered names in the sport to grace the Pula Arena.
Ivan Lendl and Pat Cash head up the two teams coming to the historic location for three days of competitive action between August 1-3.
One of the world’s most perfectly preserved Roman amphiteatres, the 2,000-year-old Pula Arena in the heart of town has staged prestigious spectacles, from the Pula Film Festival to opera, ice hockey and Shakespeare. This will be the first time that it has been used as a tennis court, so that former champions Cash and Lendl can lead their teams of five into battle.
“It is an extremely competitive group of players”, says Cash. “Ivan has more experienced number one players but my team is younger and they have recently stopped playing in the ATP Tour. You have to remember that every player is extremely competitive. Can’t wait for the first event to start!”
As fired up as ever, opposing captain Lendl put the emphasis on serious preparation before the tournament begins: “I’m very excited about this new concept and about the high level of players. My message to the players competing at the Legends Team Cup is: ‘Whatever you practise today… double it!’”
The ten players battling out there on the court were selected according to a special draw at a showcase event in London in June. Names include twice Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, one-time Olympic finalist Tommy Haas of Germany and former French Open winner Juan Carlo Ferrero of Spain, who says:
“Like all the legends I love to win, so I think it is going to be a serious match where all players are focused on winning. It is really important for us to do our best for our team and play our best tennis”.
ATP Chief Tour Officer Ross Hutchins best summed up this major new event: “The ATP Champions Tour plays an important role in celebrating our sport’s greatest icons at events all around the world. We’re delighted to welcome the Legends Team Cup onto the calendar this season and for fans to experience Champions Tour tennis in an exciting new format”.
The action starts at 5.30pm on 1 August. Early Bird tickets (standing 100kn, tribune 200kn, VIP 700kn) are available until July 15. For all details, see here and for ticket information, see here.
This article is sponsored by the Istrian Tourism Board.
