Ivan Dodig opens tennis centre in Međugorje
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: Dodig Tennis Centre)
ZAGREB, 17 July (Hina) – The Dodig Tennis Centre, built in Međugorje by the family of Croatia’s Davis Cup captain Ivan Dodig, was officially opened on Tuesday with an exhibition doubles match featuring Dodig, Novak Djokovic, Marin Čilić and Mate Pavić.
The opening ceremony at the internationally known Catholic Marian pilgrimage site attracted some of the biggest names in Croatian and European sport, particularly tennis. Former German world No. 1 Boris Becker was among those in attendance, while several thousand spectators enjoyed the friendly exhibition.
Addressing those gathered on behalf of the family, the centre’s director and Ivan Dodig’s brother, Željko Dodig, thanked the guests for attending the opening. He said the tennis complex was the result of years of hard work, sacrifice and the collective commitment of the Dodig family.
The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Ivan Dodig and Darijana Filipović, the Croatian National Assembly’s candidate for the Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the forthcoming elections. She described the project as a source of pride for Međugorje, Herzegovina and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and said it marked the beginning of a new chapter for tennis in the region.
The Dodig Tennis Centre covers around 25,000 square metres and has been designed as an integrated complex combining professional training facilities, accommodation, recovery services and additional sports amenities. It features six tennis courts, including five hard courts and a centre court with seating for around 2,000 spectators.
Plans also envisage covering part of the complex to allow year-round use. Ivan Dodig has previously said he intends to establish a tennis academy for young players, host international tournaments in Međugorje and, in the longer term, bring an event on the ATP Tour calendar to the centre.
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Ivan Dodig, born in 1985 in Međugorje, is a Croatian former professional tennis player who specializes in doubles. He reached his career-high doubles ranking of World No. 2 in September 2023. He is a seven-time Grand Slam champion, having won men’s doubles titles at the 2015 French Open with Marcelo Melo, the 2021 Australian Open with Filip Polášek and the 2023 French Open with Austin Krajicek.
In mixed doubles, Dodig won the 2018 and 2019 French Opens and 2019 Wimbledon Championships, all alongside Latisha Chan, and the 2022 Australian Open partnering Kristina Mladenovic. Dodig has won 24 doubles titles on the ATP Tour. He together with Marin Čilić won a silver medal in men’s doubles at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
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