02.05.2008 15:17:28 | As usual the biggest Czech tennis tournament UniCredit Czech Open 2008 is going to take place on the second week of grand slam Paris (1-7 June). Thus those who fail at Roland Garros can try their luck in Prostějov, restore tennis confidence and play for 150 000 USD+H in the tournament, which for the second time bears the name of a prestigious Italian bank. Let us remind that Živnostenská Banka Inc. (ZIBA) became the major partner of the event ten years ago and together with owners of Prostějov Tennis Club it has been patiently constructing the growing reputation of this greatest tennis event in our country.
“I would like to point out that thanks to ZIBA’s persistence, goal-directedness and also patience this tournament has managed to win fame in tennis world and players do like to come back to us”, stated the leader of Prostejov Tennis Club, Mr. Miroslav Cernosek, on repeated occasions. On a long term basis the management of the Prostejov Marketing Company has defended and advanced the chosen tournament philosophy whose aim is not to blindly rush for high subventions but to ensure stable growth and gain high reputation. Italian bank UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (UniCredit) became the major stakeholder of ZIBA in 2003 and proceeds to follow the chosen philosophy.
The last year of UniCredit Open is written in Czech tennis history as the last tournament of Jiri Novak who bade his rich tennis career farewell in his hometown. The final between the winner Roitman, Argentina, and German Davis Cup international Mayer was one of the most exciting matches ever played at the tournament. The perfect background organization also contributed to the overall success of the UniCredit 2007.
And what events associated with UniCredit Open can we expect this year?
“Again we are striving to offer events that shine with noticeable glitter. In TK PLUS we are persistently advancing our philosophy believing that associated social events present an inseparable part of the tournament. Business partners must have enough space and time for negotiations as this is the very occasion when possible future funding background for the tournament is being born. Last year the presence of the Czech Prime Minister, Miroslav Topolánek, attracted attention of top businessmen – leaders of the top Czech companies, bankers, and also Czech government representatives” says the managing director of TK PLUS Petr Chytil. “The greatest star of the last year was Ivan Lendl, a famous world tennis legend. There were three Olympic winners present at the tournament - Jagr, Mecir and Valenta. The fifth and the eighth player of the world, Jiri Novak a Karel Novacek, participated in the event. As our business partners are more and more interested in golf and also because of the success of the last year golf tournament we will repeat the V.I.P. UniCredit Golf Cup. The tournament will take place again in Austerlitz golf Club in Slavkov on Friday. We do not want to reveal names of the participants in advance but we can promise it is going be a great surprise. On the same day UniCredit Bank is organizing a tennis tournament for its clients and employees. On the occasion of V.I.P. party the charity cheques will be delivered and the evening atmosphere will be enriched by the concerts of two Czech great music stars, namely Petr Spálený with his band Apollo and iconic rock band Katapult. Saturday is a final day of the tournament. As usual the morning belongs to the V.I.P. tennis tournament - important people of politics, show-business, and business and, of course, banking sector will come to Prostejov to enjoy the festive atmosphere of a tennis celebration”, adds Petr Chytil.
