By Katarina Tepesh

New York – The United States Tennis Association USTA and the United Nations Office of Sports for Development and Peace held the US Open Draw event at the prestigious United Nations building in New York City on August 24. Reinforcing the tennis US Open’s connection to New York City, and the international scope of the tennis tournament, this features players from more than 70 countries and is broadcast in more than 160 countries.

Tennis is considered most international sport, showcases 660 players in 900 matches using 72,000 tennis balls. Number 1 winner will receive 2.2 million each offering equal prize for women and men.

Sport is about participation and inclusion. It is a way of bringing individuals and communities together, as players and audience, showcasing what we have in common and bridging differences. That is also what the United Nations seeks to do. Like the world of sports, the United Nations upholds the principles of tolerance, cooperation, understanding and respect.

Established players on the Croatian men’s circuit include superb IVAN LJUBICIC, seeded 18 and MARIO ANCIC, seeded 22, a six-foot plus player from Split and a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 2004.

At 6 ft 10 in, IVO KARLOVIC from Zagreb is another giant to be reckoned with, although his stunning first-round Wimbledon 2003 victory over defending champion Lleyton Hewitt was followed by a disappointing tennis career since.

Among women is JELENA KOSTANIC, ranked 67, has never won a single title in seven years on the WTA tour, but there is always hope.

KAROLINA SPREM, Varazdin-born had an excellent year in 2004, finishing 18th in the World Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. Fantastic potential, but more interested in romance then discipline and focus. This year Karolina lost in the first round during 8 tennis tournaments. Her ranking slipped to 85. She is considered one of ‘the sleepers’.

Croatian women playing tennis are desperately in need of professional coaching. But coaches with long experience don’t wish to work with women and have no faith in their abilities. Consider the story of NIKOLA PILIC, 1970 US Open Champion in Men’s Doubles and 1962 played in Wimbledon final with Boro Jovanovic. Pilic was born in Split, in 1939. He played best during 60s and was one of the organizers of ATP Association of Tennis Players. In Munchen Pilic opened the Tennis Academy. As German Davis Cup coach they won 3 times. Married with Mijom Adamovic, Pilic has a son & daughter.

Eugene Scott, founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Tennis Week magazine, dated March 22, 2005 www.tennisweek.com reports how “Niki Pilic, now in his mid-60s, has written himself into the history of professional tennis in a variety of unique ways – hardly surprising, perhaps, for such an original and outspoken character. I have fond memories of the arguments Pilic and Arthur Ashe used to have at breakfast in places like Bologna and Stockholm back in the early ‘70s about the merits of female emancipation.

Pilic was, of course, the unwitting focal point for the infamous ATP boycott of Wimbledon in 1973. As a result of refusing to play Davis Cup for Yugoslavia, his federation (whose president happened to be his uncle) suspended him. The fledgling ATP rallied to Pilic defense. Eighty-one tennis players boycotted Wimbledon. And whatever the merits of Pilic’s case, the game was never the same again.

Undaunted by that episode, Pilic, an effective left-hander who reached the final of the French Open in 1973, felt a country where ‘only President Tito and I have Mercedes’ was too small for him and Pilic decamped to Germany. He quickly became recognized as a top-class coach and, firstly in the capacity and later as captain, led his adopted German nation to three Davis Cup triumphs in 1988, ’89 and ’93. Personally, he coached players such as Michael Stich and Damir Keretic and was a tough taskmaster. “The Keretic. I work him like horse,” he once told me, revealing a quirky use of the definite article. His remarkable career will take on a glow that even Niki, never a shy man, could hardly have envisaged.”

GORAN PRPIC, former player from the early 90’s, now Croatian FED CUP coach. Prpic gets along but produced mixed results with Jelena Kostanic, Karolina Sprem and others.

There are other possibilities. For example, Zagreb-born IVA MAJOLI won the French Open in 1997 with an aggressive baseline game but failed to follow up with other Grand Slam victories. Now, Iva Majoli is back in Zagreb, no longer playing but active as director of tennis tournament “TC Maksimir.”. Iva earned well over 5 million and has a home in Bradenton, Florida. She recently celebrated her 28th birthday at a nightclub on Hvar.

ZELJKO FRANULOVIC, former player during the 70’s, now works as the Tournament Director of the Monte-Carlo Masters Series.

MARKO OSTOJA, former player during the 80’s when he played against John McEnroe.

Deserving an honorary mention, are VLADIMIR PETROVIC, (76) who played tennis in 1952 in doubles with JOSIP PALAD. Petrovic lives in California.

There is news from Croatia. A new tennis tournament “Zagreb Open” played during May 16-22, 2005 a “Kids Day” was organized. Ivan Ljubicic and 14 other players participating let kids exchange a few balls and posed for pictures to encourage interest among Croatian youngsters.

Tennis is more than a spectator sport in Croatia. The coast is amply endowed with clay courts and they are rarely empty. The biggest and most successful tournament in Croatia is the Umag Open in Istria, held in July and organized by capable director SLAVKO RASBERGER.

Of course, there is one player in Croatia that stands out. The 2001 victory of 6 ft 4 in GORAN IVANISEVIC at Wimbledon provoked wild celebrations throughout the country, especially in his home town of Split. The charismatic serve-and-volley player was much loved for his engaging personality and on-court antics and dominated the top 10 rankings during much of the 1990s. Unfortunately he was plagued by injuries and, after slipping precipitously in the world rankings, announced his retirement in 2004.

By the way, Goran Ivanisevic holds record in the Longest Tie-Break (38 points) during 1993 US Open.

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