Osijek first city in the world with free tennis courts on all four Grand Slam surfaces
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Mary Pierce, Iva Majoli, Martina Hingis, Ivan Radić, Marion Bartoli and Donna Vekić (Photo: Grad Osijek)
Osijek, a city increasingly establishing itself on the global sporting map, celebrated a historic milestone with the opening of its fourth public tennis court, each built on a different Grand Slam surface.
To mark the occasion, global tennis icons and Grand Slam champions Mary Pierce, Martina Hingis, Marion Bartoli, Iva Majoli, and Croatia’s own Donna Vekić gathered in the Retfala district, where the latest court was unveiled.
With this achievement, Osijek becomes the first city in the world to offer four free public tennis courts on all four Grand Slam surfaces, a unique accomplishment that is as much about access as it is about sporting excellence.
Donna Vekić (Photo: Grad Osijek)
Mayor Ivan Radić hailed the moment as a proud chapter in the city’s sporting history.
“Today is a great and special day for Osijek. We’ve put ourselves not just on the tennis map, but the global sports map,” said Radić.
“Without the vision, persistence and success of Donna Vekić and her family, this wouldn’t have been possible. They deserve heartfelt thanks for a project that promotes tennis, sport, and the city of Osijek.”
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Radić emphasised the city’s strong commitment to sport, highlighting the investment of €16 million annually in sports infrastructure, youth programmes, and support systems.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
These include subsidised travel for young athletes, medical checks, coach support, venue funding, and even referee costs for junior categories.
“We want as many children as possible involved in sport. These courts are a big step towards that goal,” he added, expressing confidence that the newly opened Retfala court will be as popular as the others, which are booked almost daily.
Donna Vekić, the project’s driving force, shared her pride and joy at seeing the courts come to life and serve the local community.
Martina Hingis (Photo: Grad Osijek)
“I’m incredibly proud that this project gives kids, young people, and adults the chance to play tennis for free. The courts are 95% full all the time, which shows how needed this was,” said Vekić.
She thanked the City of Osijek for its steadfast support—not only for her initiatives but for the broader development of sport in the city.
Mary Pierce (Photo: Grad Osijek)
“This is only the beginning,” she said. “We’re going further.”
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Earlier in the day, Mayor Radić and Vekić visited the Ivan Štark Centre for Education and Care, where they toured a newly built sensory park.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The park, created in cooperation between the City of Osijek and Vekić, is designed to support children with special needs, enriching their development and everyday experience.
