28.05.2014 11:35:47 | UniCredit Czech Open 2014, twenty-first in line, is starting off on Sunday with the first and second qualification rounds; the main event starting on Monday June 2nd. The challenger with a total allocation of USD 125,000 is being held in the second week of Grand Slam French Open, so the stars’ presence primarily depends on how well they will fare on the red clay of Paris. By today, it’s certain that at least nine players in the ATP first 100 are coming to Prostejov. And why is the UniCredit Czech Open so prestigious for such a long time? Perfect financial security, traditionally excellent occupation and an interesting accompanying program for the business partners are crucial.
"Should I say it in one sentence only – we regularly try doing an excellent job and we’ve got good friends also," says Miroslav Cernosek. "This year, being the twenty-first, I am very pleased that we’ve reached such a high number. In the time of changes in political parties and companies, we’re cooperating with one bank for twenty years now and we’re glad that we still do. We keep the tournament’s level so that it’s the largest sport as well as a social event not only for the whole region," commends Miroslav Cernosek, the TK PLUS executive, the long-lasting effective partnership with UniCredit Bank, formerly Zivnostenska Banka.
Zivnostenska Banka was introduced at the tournament for the very first time in 1995, when Jiri Novak made it into the finals for the first time; while the world’s twentieth player Italian Andrea Gaudenzi fulfilled the tournament leader’s role, beating Roland Garros triple champion and the later number one Gustavo Kuereten in the semi-finals! Even he took one of his first steps to stardom in Prostejov. "We just felt that our tournament is talked about a lot," recalls Cernosek, "it was played on the new central court and it was really important for us that the business and political world personalities would become aware of our tournament. I dare say that our tournament had much better facilities and the quality of accompanying events than any other tournament taking place at Stvanice. At that time I was already well aware of the need to invest not only in the players but also in what’s happening behind the tennis lines." Since then, Jiri Kunert, the director of Zivnostenska Banka, has become one of the most important figures of the Prostejov Challenger. "And what’s very important for me, if I may put it that way, he became my personal friend. With Jirka we’ve mostly discussed the future of our tournament; his composure and his perspective on life gave our tournament the very best direction," adds Cernosek.
