29.05.2008 12:15:06 | Already traditional press-conference preceding the tournament UniCredit Czech Open took place again “traditionally” in the Confectionery of the Municipal House in Prague. For the second time the event was observed by cameras of the Czech TV and the whole conference was broadcasted on CT4 Sport channel. In the conference took part chief executive and chairman of UniCredit Bank, Jiri Kunert, president of the Czech Tennis Association, Ivo Kaderka, managing director of TK PLUS, Miroslav Cernosek and the tournament director Petra Pichalova-Langrova.
Chairman of UniCredit Bank Jiri Kunert opened the event saying “I am always thinking about what to say at the conference not to repeat myself. I am here for the fourteenth time and I only must declare again – yes, we are very contented with the organizers, the tournament has both high sport and social standard, and we are surely going on to support tennis in the future.” Since 2001 the Prostejov tournament bears a prestigious name Czech Open. “UniCredit Czech Open is a refined, wonderful and noble tournament. I am very happy that Czech tennis has this kind of event”, adds tennis president Ivo Kaderka.
12 players out of the elite 100 have enrolled in the tournament and the organizers believe that the number will grow to 15. For the time being the two elite names are confirmed. “Russian Andreiev and Italian Steppi have already signed their contracts and Croatian Ljubicic and French Santoro will possibly come depending on their results in Paris. I believe that at least one of them will come”, stated Mr. Cernosek at the press-conference. Two Czech players signed up for the challenger namely Ivo Minar and Jiri vanek, two other, Ulihrach and Volny, are under the line so far.
Jim Courier, a fourfold grand slam winner and former world number one, will take part in the exhibition match. “He is playing golf in Slavkov on Friday, in the evening he is enjoying the festive party and on Saturday he is going to play an exhibition double match at the challenger and on Sunday he is heading for Paris to the Rolland Garros finals”, introduced Mr. Cernosek Courier’s busy schedule. Another legend to take part in the event is an American athlete Carl Lewis. “He is going to participate in the golf tournament, tennis tournament and the party as well.” Players who are supposed to take part in the exhibition match are Richard Krajicek, Jiri novak and Karel Novacek.
In last years the Prostejov tournament regularly hosted great sport legends. Last year it was Ivan Lend. “I would be very happy if this becomes a tradition”, stated Cernosek.
