Všetko sa to začalo v Stupave pri Bratislave v roku 2006. V septembri sa tam uskutočnil antukový challenger s dotáciou 25 000 dolárov, ktorý nultým ročníkom odštartoval tradíciu kvalitného tenisového turnaja. „Chceli sme, aby na Slovensku vznikol tenisový projekt, ktorý by bol nielen obyčajným turnajom, ale aj niečo viac. Mali sme záujem, aby sa konal vonku, aby sme pritiahli naň ľudí a postupne v
ybudovali značku,“ načrtol vtedajšie úmysly autor myšlienky a bývalý tenista Roman Šmotlák z agentúry B&D, ktorá podujatie dodnes zastrešuje. Od sezóny 2007 až doteraz sa ATP Challenger Trophy napevno usadil na novom mieste v klube TC EMPIRE Trnava. Organizátori si kurty i priestory prenajímajú od klubu. Čo sa týka servisu, je to nadštandardný turnaj. Nie vždy sa stáva, aby bol hráčsky hotel priamo pri dvorcoch. „Pre tenistov je vždy k dispozícii odvoz s autami, máme výborného vypletača rakiet. Ide nám o to, aby sa tu cítili dobre, aby si to vážili. Kvalitou služieb sa približujeme veľkým ATP turnajom,“ hovorí Šmotlák. Viac info tu: www.challenger-trnava.com
Everything started in Stupava, near Bratislava, in 2006. In September, a clay court Challenger of 25 000 US dollars in prize money took place there, and it had been a zero year. That year, a tradition of the top quality tennis tournament started. ”We wanted to start a project of the tournament that would not be just a tournament but something more. We had an idea of the outdoor tournament to attract people and build up the trademark.“ With these words, the author of this idea and a former tennis player, Roman Smotlak describes his then intentions. He speaks on behalf of B&D agency, the main organizer of the tournament. Since the season 2007 until now, the ATP Challenger Trophy had found its new place. The organizing team rent the venue and the tennis courts from the sports club. The quality of services is above standarts during the tournament. For instance, the location of the accommodating hotel right next to the tennis courts is not a common practice. The players always have cars with chauffers at their disposal and we employ a brilliant racquet technician. It is our intention to make the players feel good so they would enjoy the match and appreciate the privilege to play here. The quality of our services reaches the quality of the greatest ATP tournaments,“ Smotlak says. More informations: www.challenger-trnava.com
