Dubrovnik to host new WTA tournament as Croatia secures second event

Ana Konjuh (Photo credit: Bogdan Klarić)

Croatia’s tennis calendar is set for a major boost next spring with the launch of the WTA Dubrovnik Open, marking the first time the country will host two WTA tournaments in the same season.

The new event was officially announced by Feliks Lukas, director of the established WTA Makarska Open, who has secured the licence for Dubrovnik’s debut on the global tennis stage.

Lukas described the move as a “historic step”, coming in the 20th anniversary year of the Makarska tournament.

“Dubrovnik, with its worldwide recognition, is a natural partner for such a project,” he said, adding that he expects the new event to become a favourite among players just as Makarska has.

The tournament, he noted, will offer valuable opportunities for Croatian players and serve as a strong promotional platform connecting sport, tourism, and the local community.

Opening Europe’s Spring Clay Season

The WTA Dubrovnik Open will take place from 23 to 29 March at the courts of Tennis Club Dubrovnik in Lapad. Positioned immediately after the American swing, it will be the first European WTA 125 event of the spring and will officially open the clay-court season.

Fittingly, the season will later conclude in Croatia as well, with the WTA Makarska Open in early June.

Lucija Ćirić Bagarić (Photo credit: Bogdan Klarić)

For the host city, this is the first time a professional WTA event has been included in its sporting calendar. Marjan Konjuh, president of Tennis Club Dubrovnik and father of top Croatian player Ana Konjuh, called it a “historic moment” for the city’s tennis community.

“We are delighted that Dubrovnik has been placed on the global tennis map,” he said, thanking local authorities and Lukas for their support. Konjuh highlighted the significance for young Croatian players, who will have the chance to compete on home soil at a world-class event.

Local fans may also have the opportunity to see Dubrovnik’s own Ana Konjuh and Lucija Ćirić Bagarić on court.

The project has received enthusiastic backing from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the City of Dubrovnik. County Prefect Blaž Pezo expressed confidence that the tournament would bring wide-ranging benefits to the region and help establish it as a recognised tennis destination in the years ahead.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković echoed this sentiment, emphasising both the sporting and tourism value of hosting such an international event.

“The WTA Dubrovnik Open will enrich the city’s cultural and sporting offer in the pre-season period and provide additional value for the tourism sector,” he said. “We believe this unique project can grow into a new and recognisable sporting tradition for our city.”