“A source of pride for our country”: Croatia win the Hopman Cup for the second time in their history

Borna Coric and Donna Vekic dominated Switzerland in the final to win the trophy. Iva Majoli, tournament director, first won the tournament for Croatia

Donna Vekic and Borna Coric, Hopman Cup, 2023

Donna Vekic and Borna Coric win the Hopman Cup 2023 for Croatia © Norbert Scanella / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

July 24, 2023

Lucas Morlier

A press room that rings hollow, a half-empty centre court and a quick-fire finale. The organisers of the Hopman Cup would probably have preferred a finish to the tournament.

Hopes of a projected Alcaraz-Rune final had been lost on Thursday after the elimination of Denmark. Instead, a final between Croatia’s Donna Vekic and Borna Coric and Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi and Celine Naef.

In front of a muted crowd, Donna Vekic won her first singles against Celine Naef, who leaves Nice without any singles victories. The Croatian won in two sets (6-3, 6-4) and catapulted her country to within one victory of the title. “It’s an opponent I was wary of, I’m really happy to have won this opposition. I hope that Borna will bring us the second point,” Vekic said in her post-match interview.

Borna Coric had a tricky opponent standing in the way of victory for Croatia: Leandro Riedi, unbeaten since the beginning of the competition and the defeater of both Holger Rune and Richard Gasquet. After a quick first set won by the Croatian, the Swiss led by 3-0 and a double break, and glimpsed the decisive super tie-break… before collapsing. On a sublime backhand pass, the world No 15 defeated his opponent in two sets (6-1, 6-4) to win the competition for Croatia for only the second time in its history.

This triumph comes after the 1995 victory, won by Iva Majoli, director of the tournament, and Goran Ivanisevic.

THE PRIDE OF BRINGING THE TROPHY HOME

After a trophy ceremony, where Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, graced the tournament with his presence, the two players had the honour of lifting the cup in front of their compatriot Iva Majoli. In a press conference, Donna Vekic spoke of the pride of having been able to win for Croatia.

“It’s really an honor for us, a pride for our country. It was definitely a team effort this weekend. It’s great that Croatia is adding its name to the Hopman Cup list again.”

Iva Majoli, winner of Roland-Garros in 1997, also spoke of her pride: “Inside my heart, a part of me always wants Croatia to win. It’s special for a country like us. I am proud of them and proud of Croatia. In her first year as tournament director, this win is magnificent.”

PLAYERS ARE ALREADY CALLING US TO COME NEXT YEAR
Philippe Weiss, Hopman Cup Operational Director

This Hopman Cup will have served as good preparation for all players involved. Borna Coric will soon turn his attention to being the defending champion in Cincinnati next month.

“I try not to think about it too much. I don’t put pressure on perspective. I don’t think about the points I can lose, in the standings. I will try to go as far as possible. I felt really good last year, I hope those feelings will be back this year,” he told a news conference.

The Hopman Cup will be back in Nice next year, where it will remain until 2027.

“Players are already calling us to come next year. The timing will be even more favourable,” said Philippe Weiss, operational director of the tournament.

Next year’s competition will take place just before the Olympic Games in Paris, with the tennis being staged on the clay courts of Roland-Garros.

France is set for a huge summer of sport in 2024.