WTA players rank Makarska Open second best tournament in the world

Makarska (Photo: Bogdan Klarić)

Makarska has achieved a significant sporting recognition, with the WTA Makarska Open officially ranked as the second best WTA tournament from the WTA 125 series in the world.

According to the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player vote, the Makarska-based tournament finished second overall among more than 50 WTA tournaments from the WTA 125 series across five continents, narrowly missing out on first place to Sweden’s Nordea Open in Båstad.

What makes the recognition particularly prestigious is the fact that it comes directly from the players themselves, offering an authentic assessment of tournament organisation, playing conditions, atmosphere and overall experience.

By securing second place worldwide, the WTA Makarska Open, from the WTA 125 series, has outperformed tournaments hosted in some of the world’s most renowned cities and destinations, including Paris, Rome, Mumbai, Cancún, Palermo, Warsaw, Valencia, Mallorca, Porto, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Austin and Canberra.

(Photo: Kevin Clément)

The result confirms that a smaller destination, when driven by vision, experience and commitment, can compete with, and surpass, the biggest names on the global tennis calendar.

Tournament Director Feliks Lukas described the recognition as invaluable.

“This confirmation has immeasurable value for us because it comes directly from the players,” Lukas said. “It is the result of years of work, passion and dedication from the entire team. I sincerely thank the City of Makarska, Valamar, and all our partners who believed in this project from the very beginning. Without their support, this success would not have been possible.”

Tennis by the sea

Originally relocated from Bol to Makarska five years ago, the tournament has developed a unique identity on the WTA Tour. Played directly by the sea, set against the dramatic Dalmatian coastline, the event combines elite-level tennis with a strong entertainment programme and one of the most visually striking sports centres in the world.

(Photo: Kevin Clément)

This distinctive blend of sport, location and atmosphere has become a defining feature of the Makarska Open and a key reason for its strong player support.

Croatia’s growing role on the WTA calendar

The recognition carries additional significance as the same experienced Croatian team now stands behind two major WTA tournaments.

In 2026, Croatia will both open and close the WTA clay-court season. The newly launched WTA Dubrovnik tournament, held from 23 to 29 March, marks the start of the global clay season, while the WTA Makarska Open, scheduled from 1 to 7 June, traditionally brings the clay swing to a close.

(Photo: Bogdan Klarić)

This places Croatia in a unique position on the world tennis map, underlining the country’s growing organisational expertise and international credibility.

Makarska Mayor Zoran Paunović said the award reflects the quality of both the tournament and the city.

“This is a great and valuable recognition for Makarska, but above all for the entire organisational team,” Paunović said. “The fact that the players themselves ranked Makarska second in the world among more than 50 tournaments from five continents speaks volumes about the level of organisation, conditions and atmosphere created by the city and its partners. These results confirm Makarska’s capacity to host top-level sporting events outside the main tourist season and strengthen its position as a city of sport and openness to the world.”

(Photo: Bogdan Klarić)

Global visibility for Makarska and Croatia

The official WTA announcement, shared across social media and digital platforms, reached millions of followers worldwide, delivering powerful international exposure for Makarska and Croatia as a whole.

The award arrives in a milestone year marking 20 years of WTA tournament organisation in Croatia, making the recognition a particularly meaningful moment for Lukas and his team.