Donna Vekić puts Osijek on the global tennis map with world-first court project
Osijek, Vekić’s hometown, is now the world’s only city with public courts on all four Grand Slam surfaces.
The project started in 2021, and is now home to four courts open to the public free of charge.
They offer the same surfaces played on at the Australian Open (GreenSet cushioned acrylic hardcourt), Roland Garros (clay court), Wimbledon (grass court) and the US Open (Laykold acrylic hardcourt).
“I am very grateful that we managed to give the city of Osijek four completely free courts,” said Vekić.
Vekić visited the Ivan Štrak Education Centre to unveil the completed sensory park, made possible by her donation.
Designers created the park to support children with functional needs and enrich their development. Shortly after, they unveiled the latest court in the Retfala district.
Here, Mayor of Osijek Ivan Radić emphasised the goal of the initiative, to promote sport and tennis among young people.
“What matters most is that the courts are full, that children grow up playing outdoors and engaging in physical activity.”
“This puts our city on the global map of sport and tennis as the only city in the world with such a facility. This project would not have been possible without the Vekić family and their deep love for Osijek, and we thank them for initiating it alongside the City and Osijek-Baranja County.” Radić said.
Special guests Mary Pierce, Martina Hingis, Marion Bartoli, Iva Majoli joined Vekić for several exhibition matches. They drew in a large crowd of spectators for the celebrations.
Pierce said, “Donna and her family created this fantastic initiative. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. I am thrilled to be back in Osijek to support such a meaningful project.”
