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Home , 2007 Hopman Cup, 2013 ATP Challenger Tour, 2015 Slovak Open, Andrej Martin, Anna Blinkova, Anna Kalinskaya

2017

CLUB • ACADEMY • INTERVIEWS • SUCCESSES • OFFER FOR THE PARTNERS

empire--academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy tcempire.sk /tcempire /tcempiretrnava /empiretennis /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017

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You can also find us on the websites and social networks web tcempire.sk empire-tennis-academy.com empireslovakopen.sk facebook /tcempire /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireSlovakOpen twitter /tcempiretrnava /EMPIRETennis /EMPIRESlovak Instagram /empiretennisacademy /empireslovakopen 9 20 youtube /user/ClubEMPIRETrnava/videos 4 Interview: Coach Vladimir Platenik 13 Tereza Mihalikova: 20 EMPIRE 2018, New season, new coach offer for the partners The International EMPIRE two years in the academy. This result is also Bencic (), Lucie Safarova (Czech 6 : OFFER Tennis Academy in Trna- success of Academy‘s head coach Vladimir Republic), (), An- I was surprised, what I found in Trnava 14 Players and coaches 24 Event va is on the scene more than 3 years and Platenik. drej Martin & (both ) 8 : Ready for Top 20 of the Academy and the club calendar of the club during its activity the academy has seen out- The team of coaches was expanded by fa- and young players like Tereza Mihalikova, Re- 9 Kateryna Kozlova’s 16 Lucie Safarova, 25 ART EMPIRE: standing achievements led by Daria Kasat- mous names such as , Daniel Trc- becca Sramkova (both Slovakia) and Anheli- another famous member of the academy The place and moment of Jana Šindelová kina from Russia. Daria moved from 370th ka, Jaroslav Levinsky, Mislav Hizak or Martin na Kalinina, , Artem Dubrivnyy important & successful year place to 24th place ranking WTA during Hromec. Elina Svitolina (Ukraine), Belinda are also the members of the Academy. 10 ’s 17 TC EMPIRE Trnava club & complex 26 Rent of the courts successful comeback after surgery 18 Miloslav Grolmus and cooperation 27 Thanks to the partners For more information about the EMPIRE Tennis Academy in Trnava, Slovak Republic, please contact us via e-mail, telephone, our social with Ken Onishi from Japan networks or in person. Contact: Nina Hlavnova, Academy Manager, mobile: +421 908 859 000, e-mail: [email protected] 12 : Top 50 is waiting 28 Hotel Empire****

Tennis trainings: Fitness trainings: Physiotherapy: Publisher: TC EMPIRE Trnava a.s., Jána Hajdóczyho 11, 917 01 Trnava, www.tcempire.sk, Phone: +421(0) 911 170 738 / Editor: Leonard Popovič, Price offer from 650 € week 3 hours per day 4 hours per week 1 hour per week Rastislav Hríbik, Sports Web Agency s.r.o., Photo: Ivan Kopčáni a Hutera / Graphic design: Andrej Šimkovič / Print: DEVIN printing house, s.r.o. This price includes tennis and fi tness trainings, physiotherapy, accommodation and food. (2) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (3) EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017

Head coach Vladimir Platenik is working on the next phase of the developm ent for Academy in Trnava The new face in the academy is former world No. 7 Belinda Bencic, who has Slovak roots. He made comeback Our players were successful after the surgery and started her Vladimir Platenik, head coach at Tr- want to be still more professional, but I see there “Svitolina, Kozlova and Jabeur made the interna- preparation at Trnava’s club. Did you nava Academy, has good reason to is a huge interest of academy players. I feel, we tional success, Kasatkina maintained her posi- expect such a great return for her? smile. Together with his colleagues he are going the right way. We have got offers not tion, Bencic successfully returned to the tourna- “I do not like the expectations because expecta- teamed up solid squad consist of real- just from the players, but also coaches, who ments. Elina had a perfect season and this really tions bind players. It needs to be more modest, ly successful players at 2017 season. want to cooperate with us. These offers are not surprise me. But the biggest breakthrough came when you would like to have good results. We Ukrainian Elina Svitolina has won five only from Slovakia or Czech coaches. Some with Jabeur as she was able to move from the were worrying about her, because she had an WTA tournaments this year, her com- of them came also from abroad. I am glad, we end of the place about 200th to 83rd. But I am operation in May. She was not fit, tried to work patriot Kateryna Kozlova jumped back have already stabilized the children’s category also glad that Kateryna Kozlova with the coach with different trainers, changed some sparing to the first Top 100 and Tunisian player due to coach Jaroslav Kormys. This moment Jaroslav Levinsky made Top 100 ranking. They partners. The only thing we could do was to meet Ons Jabeur set her personal best in this is very important for me. That is the point, we deserve it very much, because they worked for her expectations. To give her what she was look- season. Czech Lucia Safarova togeth- should start, have a professional concept from the changes. I think we were very successful in ing for. Belinda is communicative independent er with Swiss Belinda Bencic are the this age. We are still growing, having more and the women’s category. “ girl, she was able to solve many things herself. new faces of the team. Also we need more members. I am looking forward also for Now is important just one thing – to have good to admire the way how Bencic was the building of academy, it will be completed in And what about men? team around, which will be able to get her back able to return to Top 100 after injury a few months. Now according to agreement with “ has found a new coach at the end to top positions. I know, it will be tough, but there after her preparation in EMPIRE Tennis Mr. Miroslav Hlavna, we would launch the sec- of the season. During the year, he remained in is no limit as she was already at Top Ten. I believe Academy. ond phase of the Academy development. We the Top 200. Igor Zelenay had a good double re- she is able to do it again.” are getting ready for it, and now I’m going to be sults, but he needs to find more stable partner for The Trnava Academy was set up in a bit more involved with management, I want to the games. He needs to play grandslam or ATP Why is so good for her to stay 2014. How is club’s reputation right be more active in this.” tournaments to have a chance reaching more at Trnava? now? points. He has potential acquire more points, “She likes our academy, her grandmother lives “Let’s have a look back the last three year. We Where do you see the main positives he is a solid guy. In my opinion cooperation be- nearby, so she has a family background here. proved to build really good team. Of course, we of the Academy in the last period? tween Japanese Onishi and Miloslav Grolmus There is no speech barrier for her, she feels good brings also some progress. They had some good with us, I hope. And last but not least, she has really results at Futures tournaments. Karol Beck and good conditions for training at academy. I see she Artem Dubrivnyy also try to go up. They have to is happy, play tennis for herself with goal to come go through the Futures tournaments together, I back to Top 10. She has a great sparring players know it’s hard. “ here, a fitness trainer, a physiotherapist. We will be happy to help her return to the higher positions.” How do you see Ons Jabeur move up in the ranking? Elina Svitolina ended the year as the “It is the merit of Mislav Hizak, who works with World No. 4, it was her best season game. Kalinina was great junior player, but unfor- It was unhappy situation. After having some good Ons. He is the man I had spoken a year ago at ever. How her performances surprised tunately she was injured after that period. She un- trainings with Maros Molnar she started to plays US Open in New York. I have a chance to see you? dergone shoulder operation two years ago. But I better, but still, it wasn’t her season. She is talent- how much enthusiasm he is giving to his work. “She had a great season. She is a girl who with think, if she will be working for year or more here ed girl, but she must be able to keep discipline. He has experiences, he is a good tennis player, tremendous will and is a great warrior. She re- in Trnava, she will be able to reach Top 100. But She is with us for three years and she moves defi- an educated man. He really knows how to help ally deserves her position as she worked for it I am just started my cooperation with her. We are nitely on higher positions. She continues to work players around No. 200 in the ranking. He knows very hard. She has strong will, discipline and also negotiating with other players from the Top with Maros Molnar still, she stays also a member they can not afford his own coach, but despite sometimes is really enough to move up. I was 100, but so far it is open. For example, Mislav of our academy. Also her brother Alex helped her this fact, he provided Ons with interesting pack- surprised, but as I say, she deserves it.” Hizak, former Jabeur’s coach had several offers at Trnava, where she has really good conditions, age of services. He made a great job.” and he started to cooperate with Anna Blinkova.” great background. Everywhere else it would be Is it possible to get any other players more complicated for her.” How do you like cooperation between from abroad? The previous work with Daria Kasatkina Kozlova and Czech coach Jaroslav “Of course. I have got also some offers, when not start very well in 2017. She had lost What will be your focus in the Levinsky? I finished to cooperate with Kasatkina. I have at in the first round, upcoming season? “It is a very respectable cooperation between decided to work with Ukraine . than came another defeats but than “I want to solve the management issues related them and us, too. Kateryna is very nice, I want The reason is I know her little bit. And I want to came breakthrough with tournament to the academy, help Slovak players including to keep people like her in the academy as long train somebody who is independent, mature but victory at Charleston. Rebecca Sramkova and Tereza Mihalikova. But as possible. Both were able to keep our plans, is still out of elite players. In that group the players “Daria had chances for better results, but it didn’t I’m also open to helping kids, younger players, which is great. Both will stay with us still.” are no willing to make so many changes in their happen. She was injured at , unfortunately. I will have more time for this activity since now.”

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Why did you decide to change the Star of the Academy Elina Svitolina had the best year in her career team before 2016 season? To split with the main coach Ian Hughes? “I did it because when you see your improvement has stopped you need to change something. It always takes time to be as one all together, but now, everything is OK. I am very happy with it this She was surprised, moment. You need to have fresh things.” What is your big goal for this season? What is you plan for the upcoming months? what she found in Trnava “It is always the same. I want to give one hundred to train hard. You don’t have so many distrac- game little bit. To be really focused on what you percent into the next match at each tournament.” tions. You can really focus on tennis. I have found have to do against the other player. You have to here all this kinds of vital things which profession- be mentally tough and ready but it’s just the part What are you doing when you have al tennis player needs. I think this is the perfect of tennis. You need to live with it. I’m trying to spare time? place to improve your game.” work very hard with my team and improve every season but I know very well it’s gonna be very training very hard. I need to play well and to be “I like to go home because I don’t spend so aspect of my game. I am very happy that we are tough. But I think I am ready.” ready for big moments. I have also had a new much time there. I am yearning to spend some Are you enjoying coming back to moving the right way.” team since December last year. You always need moments with my family. During tournaments, Trnava? Do you really feel it’s possible to go time when you have the new team. Is does not it is not possible because I really focus on the “Yes, it’s really nice. I have got here very warm Do you remember the feeling when you higher? happen overnight to find out what you need to games and rest a lot. I think it’s the big part of welcome. I have good feeling when I am traveling became for the first time in your career “Of course. Otherwise I wouldn’t play. To be No. do with new members. But now I really have the tennis – to recover and be ready mentally and to this club. For me, it is important to know that No. 3 in the world? 1 is something very special for all the athletes. proper time with my team and my coach.” physically. You have to do that properly. But everything is professional on this place.” “Great feeling, but this kind of ranking wasn’t sur- Everyone is aiming for this. Is it big goal for every- I am still a normal girl. I still like to go out with my prise for me as I won the five tournaments during one.” Who are the members of your team? friends, go sightseeing, when I am in new city. Are you satisfied with the last season? the season. It was obvious I am going higher. But “My main coaches are , the former I like new things. Also I read a lot, it helps me lot “Off course I am happy with the season but I al- this a was good moment and brought me a lot of You have become not only No. 3 in the coach of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gabriel Urpi from and changes my head out of tennis.” ways want more. I want to finish even higher in confidence. But still I have big goal in my mind – ranking during last season, but also Spain. Both of them are helping me a lot. And the ranking. It didn´t happen, but I still have a lot to be No. 1 one day.” first Ukrainian women at Top 10 ever. also a fitness coach Oliver Fawls from England Your father Mikhaylo Svitolin was of time. I am so glad I was handling tough mo- Which moment do you prefer? is with me. My sparring partner Andrew Bettles a successful wrestler, which sport – ments, play solid under pressure so for me it was How far is from the player like you to “Maybe to be No. 3, but the other moment was is also Englishman. He always travels with me. beside tennis – are you fond of? great season. I can say it.” jump from No. 3 to No. 1? also sweet.” Then I have a physio as well. It’s quite a big team.” “Soccer as many other Ukrainians.” “I hope that is not so far and it will be possible. How difficult it is for you to play under But you need to be very consistent. To play good You have won five tournaments this Ukrainian member of EMPIRE Tennis pressure? and be ready on the each tournament in your year – Taiwan Open at Taipei, at Dubai, Academy Elina Svitolina has reached “Every player has their own unique way how to calendar. Be healthy and show your best game , Rome and Toronto. Which No. 3 at WTA ranking in September handle it. For me, it is important to adjust the during whole season. I will aim for this in the next one was the most difficult for you? 2017, but she still has a big goal in “Rome was very tough. The prestige of the tour- her mind. She wants to be on the top nament was very high. You always have lot of of the ranking one day. With the team pressure, when you play this kind of tournament. she hired at December 2016, she Also winning title in Toronto, where I beat four was able to win five tournaments last players from Top Ten, was very tough. All the season, but 23 year old player wants matches I have played there were extremely dif- more. That’s the reason why Elina has ficult to win, but I went through this. For me it was worked so hard during off season, too. one of the best moments this season.” Although she is very busy, she was will- ing to speak with us in Trnava at the What is the difference between Elina beginning of December when she was Svitolina from 2016 and Elina Svitolina visiting the club. from 2017? “The difference is not the age but the work I did You are a player of EMPIRE Tennis with my team. I was able to change the struc- Academy at Trnava. How did you get ture of my trainings to play big tournaments. Of there? course, there is still a room for improvement. “It was two years ago. I was training here and I am looking forward to start the new season. spotted this club had all the conditions I needed Although I am having the off season now, I am

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Charleston title was the highlight of the season for Daria Kasatkina Kateryna Kozlova reached the career high during the 2017 year Ready for Top 20 Daria Kasatkina (20) has been a mem- How important was it for you to gain right now. I just need a new view from the other Important ber of EMPIRE Tennis Academy for first WTA singles title? side, other person.. We used to work together more than three years. She has moved “It was very important for me because the start three years ago. I ‘m really excited about our coop- up more than 300 places in the WTA of the season was pretty bad. I didn’t expect to eration. Because we have more or less the same rankings during that time, she is a mem- win the title. Because before that I had lost at the view of my game, style of thinking, so I’m looking & successful year ber of Top 30 in the world, she have tournaments early, so this was great. It was even forward to see how the cooperation will go during the matches at Grand slams. I think it is kind of to chance the style of my game, because I played made an enormous progress when she Premier category tournament, not the lowest one the next tournament in the new season.” connected. The victory in Rome gave me the more defensively before. If I can give you short cooperated with Vladimir Platenik from so I was really excited about it.” confidence to get some results later. Wins at the version of what we are trying to do, it is this.” the same tennis academy. Now, with a What were the three years of work US Open, when I have advanced from the qualify- new coach, she is looking forward to When did you have the feeling that you with Vladimir Platenik like? You moved ing to the 2nd round into the main draw, were also What kind of coach and what kind of new challenges. were playing the best tennis? Was it in up more than 300 places in the WTA Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova (23) was important because then I won in Dalian, China.” person is he? Charleston or at another place? rankings, you are a member of Top 30 the member of the Top 100 in the 2016 “He is a nice person, calm. At the same time, he It wasn’t a bad season, because you “Yes, it was Charleston, that’s for sure but also in the world, you have made enormous but after one more year she made it to Do you have one or two matches this is funny. I like that he is not so emotional on the reached 24th position in the WTA in Wuhan when I beat . That match progress during this phase of your the 71st postion in the WTA rankings. year that make you feel satisfied with court and not so negative. I know that coaches rankings, but did you hope that it was unbelievable for me. I was playing really good. career... She had to change a lot of things in your game and the result? sometimes want so much that they are getting would be even better one? In my mind, in the beginning, I was just playing “For sure, I made a great step forward. He gave her game and to adapt to them but “I felt very well after I played against Begu from more emotional and more negative, but that is “The season was quite similar to the last one, the regular match but in the end I just dominated. me a lot of important information, about the Tour, the cooperation with coach Jaroslav Romania in the US Open 1st round. I was really not working with me. I like the fact that he is a in 2016. There were a lot of up and downs this It was very important moment and win for me.” about tennis, about other players, that’s it. I’m Levinsky also from the EMPIRE Ten- nervous, I’ve played really well until 5-2 in the calm and outside the court, he is funny, he has year. But I’m really happy that I have won my first thankful for that.” nis Academy seems like a very good second set but then I got nervous because I had sense of humor which I really like. We have good WTA tournament in my career and I think What was the end of the season like decision because she is on the path never passed the first round in New York and I connection and we are continuing to the next I have finished the year pretty good for your? It looked like you had What are your goals for the next of progress. The 2018 year could be really wanted to win that match. I was already 6-5 season.” – quarterfinals in China or the final found your game... season, if you have any? again the best in her career and she is down in the set and 6-2 down in the tiebreak. But in Moscow. When I think that I was “Yeah, I came there (in Moscow) with- “As always, it is about improving my game. I feel looking forward to it. I kept the set and won the match. But I played Do you have any special goal for the also injured in the first part of the out any expectations. I was with my new like I am prepared for the Top 20 level, I want to very well until 5-2 in the second set. Also in Da- next season? season, it wasn’t a bad season.” coach but we have just started our coop- go further and further, to win the tournaments. I Tell us more about your season. Are lian, China, I played well, I had a plan and I man- “You know I don’t want to say anything about the eration. I was playing good and it is my don’t want to say exactly I want to be this No. or you satisfied with your results? aged to stick to it. The final against Zvonareva, a ranking, to put this kind of pressure on me. I know hometown, tournament is in my city, another, but I want to do my best and we will see “It was a tough year, there were lot of up and very experienced player, was tough but also the my goal deep inside. But I don’t want to say like I so it was nice to finish the season what is going to happened. But for sure I want downs. Beginning of the year was not great for game against in the semi-final was will be the No. this or this. I want to play as many like that.” go for something big!” me, I had bad results. I was starting to work with very tough, she was in a good shape back then.” matches as possible from the beginning of the my new coach Jaroslav Levinsky. He changed a year. I would like to start the season much better What was your What do you need to get into the Top lot of things in my game, in my style. It was com- How was the cooperation with your than the last year. I want to improve my game, plan after the last 10, for example, to become one of plicated to use it during the match, to transfer it coach Jaroslav Levinsky from the to be more confident, this is the best way and tournament of the those players... from the practice to matches. But then I started to EMPIRE Tennis Academy? the most important thing for me right now. Then year? “I need more experience, that’s for sure. Now it play better, I got my confidence back – especially “At the beginning, it was tough to show my game when I win, the results will come and the rankings “After vacation it was is for me more about mental preparation, it is the during summer season and after that. If we take after changes we made together. But everything will come along.” more about fitness key and some tactical skills on which we will work the start of the season and the end of the season, went well, I think we understand each other. We preparation. I’m still with my new coach. “ I’m not going to say that I’m satisfied but I have have very good connection, good communi- Why is it good for you to be a member playing tennis but made the step forward. Because I had dropped cation on the court and I think we understand of the EMPIRE Tennis Academy in not that much. I will You spent your vacation in Barcelona, to 260th position, but now I’m back in the Top each other pretty good. That’s the key between Trnava? play more tennis during your favorite city. How was it? 100 now. I’m happy that my game is improving.” coach and the player. We have also similar vision “It is great because there is a very nice club in Trna- pre-season tennis camp in Flor- “Unbelievable. The best vacation ever. I love the of tennis...” va. I like the facilities they already have. And when ida in December. In November it was city, the atmosphere, everything -Spain, food, What is more important? The fact that they finish the new gym, new building with new more about fitness preparation.” soccer. Everything I need is in this city. I saw you won two singles titles in Rome and Is it possible to specify how he helped indoor , swimming pool, it will be per- everything, I walked about 172 kilometres in 10 Dalian or that you made it to the main you? fect for me. It has very calm environment, we have What do you expect from your days. I was just enjoying walking in Barcelona. It draw at Roland Garros and US Open? “It is not easy to say because there are a lot of everything e need for practice and the conditions new coach Philippe Dehaes? was tough to say good bye to the city but I had “Grand slams are, of course, the most important. specific things. We changed my , I start- are perfect. And when it is finished, it is going to be “I can’t say that I expect something special to go to work again (smile).” But without other results you’re not going to win ed to play more aggressively. Generally, I’m trying one of the best clubs and academies in Europe.”

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Swiss Bencic fought her way back to TOP 100 after preparation in EMPIRE Tennis Academy “I would be very careful. I would not even think it in the game, he shows me the details I can work was real or possible. I was glad when I got into on. It is going well.” the singles qualification - I did not count on it. It’s a bonus, but I was ready to play a qualifying. “ How do you like to train with Slovak sparring like Oliver Nagy and Martin In January 2018 you will play again Blasko from our academy? Perfect comeback the with Federer. Are you “Great, I practice my Slovak at least (smile). We nis center in Biel, where everyone trains. There excited? trained with Oliver for almost a year, it was also are plenty of tennis halls, but there are tennis “It is such a highlight that I was looking forward great. I am very grateful to him, he is part of my schools, for example children’s academy. There to. I am nervous, but Roger is totally cool. Playing successful return. Even with Blasko it was per- are no big academies where players from other with him helps. I feel very good with him on the fect, in Asia we were together in the two tourna- countries can come. Each parent takes child court. We would like to play even better at Hop- ments I have won. He plays great, intense.” where it is closest to them. “ man Cup than ever before. His matches were dif- ferent, the night duels were played. There were Do you have any idea how many When you underwent an operation in a lot of people, a real atmosphere. Australians tournaments would you like to play in May 2017, what was the most difficult truly live for sport.” the 2018 season? for you during the first weeks? “Definitely less than I played. In the past, I had “I had gypsum and I did not know much about You came back in big style in Are you satisfied with coach Ian a lot of tournaments, but I did not win as much. how it would evolve. I was sad about it. I could not September, you just won the Hughes? When I started winning, I continued on, comfort- play or do anything to do, run. I was depressed.” tournament in Petrohrad. What was the “I am very happy, I felt great about his training. I ably. So when I win some, I’ll take a break. I want return to the lower ITF? like the style of his training. He tries to get to know to plan more carefully for my body to be okay. The Who operated on you? “I did not mind, I played ITF events in the past, I me, to learn about things. It is very good. He is advantage is that most of the year I do not have “Frederik Verstreken, he works in Antwerp, he had to fight through them. For me, the WTA tour- rather a peaceful, tactical type. He is very helpful to defend tournament points.” also operated Clijsters, Flipkens, Goffin. And nament in Linz was amazing. Less sponsored many more players. Magda Rybarikova, who I tournaments were well organized. And what I then began to ask more about what it was like. liked best is that I played better without getting She said it was great and she was happy. Then I the same attention everywhere. I did not want it went to see him, he made a good impression on to be resolved as a big story of return. I wanted me. He had everything under control, he knew to focus on how to hold my wrist. I could also Former No. 7 Belinda Bencic (20) is a of Tennis Europe series. I remember these things everything. He tried to explain it, but he did not use protected ranking to get wild cards into main member of EMPIRE Tennis Academy pretty well. Our hotel was right next to court and push me into anything. Agents from Nishikori or competitions, but I did not want it.” from August 2017. She injured her wrist we watched matches from balcony. That’s why I Kuznetsova were already calling me, they were and had to undergo a surgery in May, remember it.” curious about it. I recommended him, he’s a wrist And it might not have gone so well... but despite her fear, everything turned specialist. “ “It could not, it could have started hurting me out great. Surgery was a success as Why did you made the decision to again. I would have to explain to everybody what well as her comeback. She won three become member of the EMPIRE Tennis When did you miss fears of returning happened. When I chose such a return, it was tournaments during three months and Academy? and started to believe? more relaxed, easier for me. I wanted to fight it went back to WTA Top 100 in singles. “When I was still injured, I came here personally. “It was still hurting from the beginning. Every day like this. We agreed with the coach, we had the All because she trained in Trnava club Even Oliver Nagy, who was my sparring at the I had to work with a physiotherapist. I called the same opinion. “ EMPIRE. time, told me that we could give a training week doctor every day whether it was normal or ok, I here. I came here, I liked it, I found good condi- was stressed. When I played the first Which winnings do you value the most When you discovered academy in tions here. I know a lot of people in this place, in August, I was also cautious, but the pain was after returning? Saint Petersburg, Hua Trnava? I felt good, I said why not to come here. Now I gone. I begin to believe it would be okay. Now I Hin or Taipei? “I heard about it from my friends Dasha Kasatkina prepare myself here before every tournament.” believe it completely and I do not have to tape it.” “I’m most proud of the first of St. Petersburg be- and Vladimir Platenik. I won an international tour- cause I did not expect it at all. When I was on the nament here when I was 14, back in 2010, but Have you met your expectations even How did rehabilitation look like? And court, I was excited that I could play at all. At that it was not an academy yet. I saw photos on the after weeks of preparation? when was the first full-time training? time I felt the best.” Academy’s official Instagram and heard it’s great “I’ve got everything I need. I had great training “My physiotherapist came to see the doctor who here. Also Elina Svitolina and Lucie Safarova train here before I started playing tennis. The club will be operated me. On the spot, they agreed What would you say to someone in the here too.” gave me everything they could. “ what he can move, in which time horizon. We summer of 2017 if he would have told wanted to strengthen our muscles, we did clas- to you that you would return to the Top Do you remember your winning Is there similar academy in Switzerland sical exercises with a dumbbell up, down, with 100 for three months and you would tournament here in 2010? as ours? an expander.” qualify for the Australian Open main “I was 13 years old, we played on clay, and part “In Switzerland, there is a federal national ten- draw?

(10) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (11) EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017

Ons Jabeur: I can beat anyone if I play like in Shenzhen Mihalikova has changed a lot of things and she is going higher Top 50 is waiting New season, Tunisian member of the EMPIRE Tennis honor for me. They cared about me, they wanted Top 100, but since I stopped thinking about the Academy Ons Jabeur (23) is another to see me, but unfortunately I had to prepare for ranking, it has been easier for me. Now I’m happy player from our Academy who had pret- the other tournaments and I didn’t have a chance with that. I don’t need to think about the ranking ty good season. She was No. 193 in the to go back. But lately, the Tunisian soccer team anymore, I learned it from my previous experi- newWhat does not kill you, makes coach you “I wasn´t able to beat any opponents. I was deep WTA rankings in the end of the 2016 has qualified for the World Cup, so they were ence. My goal is to improve my game now and stronger. That is the case of a young down,” admitted Mihalikova (19). The man who season but after one year she moved busier with them, not with me. It is a kind of sad ranking would eventually come.” girl from Topolcany - Tereza Mihalik- pulled her up, was her personal coach at EMPIRE up more than 100 places. One of the but it is ok (smile).” ova, who failed to start the last sea- Tennis Academy Stefano Vukov. And it was hard best results which she had achieved Could you pick one or two matches son well. She struggled, but then she for both at the beginning. “They were definitely was in Paris during the Roland Garros How important was it for you to reach that you were especially satisfied with? showed the world she knows very well tough days for me. Full of arguing, leaving some where she became the first Arab wom- Top 100 for the first time in your “At the beginning of the year, when I played Shen- how to fight. trainings. But finally I was able to overcome it. I an to make the third round at a grand career? zhen, I was pretty happy with my game. I played am glad, these days are gone,” says promising slam beating also the world champion “It was very important, because it was one of so good that I even didn’t recognize myself. So, if Slovak tennis talent. Cibulkova. goals which I wanted to reach since like long I can maintain that level, I can beat anyone. I was However, it was not the only problem for her dur- time ago, for years. It took a long time to get to playing so good, I was so relaxed, no pressure, ing these months. The other came, when Stefano What is your opinion about the season I was forcing other players to follow my game... Vukov, former Croatian tennis player, who lives in 2017 and your results? For me, it was like one of the best tournaments USA, had to come back to the States. Due to fam- “Yeah, it was pretty good season. The start was a I have played. I played so good in Taipei, I think ily problems. Three months before his departure, little bit rough, I was at the No. 193 position in the it has something to do with tournaments in Asia. Mihalikova knew her coach would go away. De- WTA rankings, but after it was good and progres- Or with noodles. I don’t know (smiling). And Ro- spite this fact it was still difficult rather difficult for on 446-th place at WTA Tour ranking. sive. I had to work harder to get the confidence. land Garros.. Yes, I won against good players her to adapt to the new situation. “We didn´t split Tereza´s current goal is to jump to the the first Roland Garros was pretty good, it was one of the but I didn’t feel the same way as in Shenzen or on bad terms, quite the opposite. We remained 200 at the rankings. “I do not have to defend any best tournaments I had. I want to be even better in Taipei.” friends. Nevertheless, I still don´t like to change points in the first months, so at least I want to get in the future, but I think that hard work paid off. I coaches. I don´t like to find myself in the position into the qualification. I hope it won´t am now in the level which is much more compli- Do you have special goals in the 2018 of going to a tournament with a completely new be so difficult to jump higher. Is not so far from my cated, so in the 2018 season I´ll try to go higher, season? person. But,I must admit, it went great this time. current position,” dreams Mihalikova. to win the matches and improve my rankings.” “Yes, but I don’t want to focus on the rankings My new coach Martin Hromec is a good man and Answering the question during which game of and count every point. But if I can say numbers I Slovak coach Martin Hromec has agreed I am also happy that he is Slovak. Why? Because the last season she played her best tennis took a What was the highlight of the season would say Top 50 in the next season, if it were be with the EMPIRE Tennis Academy on Stefano spoke to me using Croatian English. I while to come. “I really don´t know what to say. I for you, Roland Garros probably? You better, it would be great. But I have to do it step a 5-year contract and with Mihalikova on sometimes made mistakes afterwards and an- only started to play well after changing my racket. won the qualifying and then you beat by step. I had to maintain good level, confidence a one-year deal. “She’s young and when swered my parents´ in English. Plus at that time Upon doing so, some better results came. Maybe also Dominika Cibulkova in the 2nd and the results will come. “ she was a junior, she has had a huge I started reading a Czech book, so sometimes I I was playing my best in the game with the Russian round, which was surprising... You success. For me, I can say that I did not was totally confused. Now everything is in terms at the beginning of July in Egypt. became the first Arab woman to make Did you have the time for your family of the language much easier,” smiled Mihalikova. Although I lost (5-7 in the third set), I played well. the third round at a grand slam. after the season? understand why she is not higher in the Who is Martin Hromec? A former coach of Martin It was maybe the best tennis I have ever played. “Yes, the crowd was amazing, I felt like home “Before the fitness camp, I was in . And WTA rankings. It does not match her per- Kližan´s for example. “At the beginning he said But it wasn´t quite enough for the victory at that because there were some Tunisian fans there, before that I was at my sister’s wedding, I enjoyed formance. My primary task will be to move to me I am much quieter comparing the guys who time. I hope I will have a chance for a revenge,” they were rooting for me and I was happy to see the wedding. I was with my husband on one is- her as high as possible,” Hromec explained he had coached before. So it´s time for me to be said Mihalikova. them. It was more emotional for me than the other land in , it was good. We had fun. But I and he also revealed why he likes Trnava slightly more aggressive. At least on the court. I The only Mihalikova´s ITF tournament victory last grand slams. The French Tunisians are close to didn’t want to travel a lot because I travel all the Academy. will try to learn it, I promise. We will see what he season came in Egypt in Sharm El Sheikh in Oc- me, for me it was about good atmosphere, a lot year. For me, it was like stupid to travel again. So “I have seen a lot of academies in the world, thinks about me in six months´ time,” says Tereza. tober. “I am happy I did it, because before that of emotions, I liked it so much.” I wanted to stay in Tunisia (smile).” but this, what was built by the owner Mr .Mi- As for the EMPIRE Tennis Academy at Trnava game I had lost in some finals,” concluded the roslav Hlavna in Trnava, is an absolute top. Tereza Mihalikova, the junior champion of Aus- interview Mihalikova. With new positive approach Was it a big thing in Tunisia? Where do you spend most of your time There is also a high-quality team of coach- tralia 2015, has no reason to complain. “I am in her mind she believes the next season will be “It was, but I didn’t have a chance to go to Tunisia during the year? es and players, it is a high level. With the very satisfied here. I have my own coach here, a much better for her than the others having one right after that. The minister in Tunisia, she want- “My brother lives in Paris, so there and some- completion of another international acade- fitness coach and great girls for sparring. And top wild dream. “Sometimes in the future I would like ed to meet me there, she wanted to come to the times in . And if I can I come to Trnava in of that is not that far from Trnava. I like break into Top 5 at WTA Tour. I know it looks crazy airport to pick me up and staff, so it would be an Slovakia, where is EMPIRE Tennis Academy.” my building, it will be perfect, “ he added. this place,” admitted Slovakian player, who is now but you need to have wild dreams.”

(12) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (13) PLAYERS & COACHES OF TC EMPIRE TRNAVA CLUB 2018 WOMEN MEN:

Elina Svitolina (nar.1994) Daria Kasatkina (nar.1997) Belinda Bencic (nar.1997) Lucie Šafářová (nar.1987) Kateryna Kozlova (nar.1994) Rebecca Šramková (nar.1996) Tereza Mihalíková (nar.1998) Anna Blinkova (nar.1998) Vivien Juhászová (nar.1993) Lenka Juríková (nar.1990) Sandra Jamrichová (nar.1997) Laura Maluniaková (nar.1998) Andrej Martin (nar.1989) Igor Zelenay (nar.1982)

MEN JUNIORS

Hans Podlipnik (nar.1988) Artem Dubrivnyy (nar.1999) Ken Onishi (nar.1996) Patrik Fabian (nar.1994) David Damian Brna (nar.1998) Alexander Ovcharov (nar.1998) David Juras (nar.1999) Ergi Kirkin (nar.1999) Kiara Petrovická (nar.2000) Lenka Stará (nar.2000)

JUNIORS U14

Adriána Šenkárová (nar.2000) Anna Molchanova (nar.2001) Nina Stankovská (nar.2002) Radka Zelníčková (nar.2003) Sara Suchánková (nar.2003) Vanda Vargová (nar.2003) Andrea Feodorova (nar.2003) Pavel Shumeiko (nar.2000) David Čierny (nar.2000) Samuel Paulovčák (nar.2000)

U14 U14

Lukáš Bielik (nar.2001) Adam Arbet (nar.2001) János Fekete (nar.2001) Tomáš Lánik (nar.2002) Alfréd Almási (nar.2003) Matúš Barcaj (nar.2003) Filip Žilkay (nar.2003) Olga Molchanova (nar.2004) Karolína Mráziková (nar.2004) Paula Nebylová (nar.2004) Terézia Gavalcová (nar.2004) Ela Pláteníková (nar.2004) Romana Zelenayová (nar.2004) Stella Krivičková (nar.2005)

U14 ŽIACTVO:

Saša Félixová (nar.2006) Sára Kašťáková (nar.2007) Vanessa Nováková (nar.2007) Peter B. Privara (nar.2004) Matej Palčo nar. (nar.2004) Adrián Štancel (nar.2004) Markus Lazarčík (nar.2005) David Schwarc (nar.2005) Samuel Guzoň (nar.2005) Patrik Hulín (nar.2006) Marek Naňo (nar.2006) David Baláž (nar.2006) Artur Dosedla (nar.2006) Pavol Bíly (nar.2007)

COACHES CHILDREN

Vladimír Pláteník Daniel Trčka Miloslav Grolmus Kamil Čapkovič Karol Beck Martin Hromec Jaroslav Levinský Mislav Hizak Martin Durdík René Hanák Juraj Jančovič Natália Kročková (nar.2008) Dylan Bairo (nar.2008) Timotej Chmelár (nar.2008)

COACHES PHYSIO

Jaroslav Kormyš Peter Vlk Tomáš Výrostko Martin Blaško Tomáš Boleman Diana Zelenayová Eva Šestáková Monika Kupková Miloslav Doležal Michal Brtko Kinga Križan Michal Bača Roman Řežáb Andrej Horváth EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017

Czech player is a new member of EMPIRE Tennis Academy Safarova: I like this project THE COMPLEX EMPIRE Tennis Czech Lucie Safarova is one of the latest EMPIRE Vladimir Platenik, who is a head-coach in Trnava, OF TENNIS CENTRE EMPIRE TRNAVA Academy wom- Tennis Academy team addition. She has with informed her about the Tennis Academy itself. On Hajdoczyho street in Trnava we have available en’s team with her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands “We know each other for a long time from WTA a modern tennis complex, the largest in Slovakia, new power. Four won her 4th doubles title at the Australian Open circuit, but apart from him I heard good refer- which certainly stands up well also in internation- times Grand 2018 Grand Slam tournament in . “I ences from the other players, too. Tennis player al competition. With completion of four new clay Slam champion, really look forward to Trnava since I wanted to does not spend much time at home, but when I’ll courts performed in 2011, the complex with 13 four times winner see everything here and to play here. So far, be at home, I’ll be glad to go to Trnava for prac- courts gets the first place in Slovakia. Three courts of Fed Cup trophy my busy schedule did not allow that. I decided tice opportunity. There is an ideal environment in the EMPIRE hall with the Plexipave Plexicushion with Czech team and Roland Garros to enter the project I liked. And I think there are for professional training. And Trnava is not far Prestige surface, also used on the Grand Slam singles finalist in 2015 Lucie Safarova great people in Trnava who are interested in the from Brno! We look forward to our future coop- Australian Open, must be considered as well. became new member of the EMPIRE progress of young tennis players and also tennis eration,” said winner of 7 WTA tournaments in The four-star Hotel EMPIRE creates a dominant Tennis Academy thus joined other pil- in general,” said Safarova for www.empire-ten- singles and 13 in doubles. feature of the complex. It offers players with great lars and players. nis-academy.com. conditions not only during the tournaments but also during the preparation in the EMPIRE Tennis Academy. In the hotel they – as well as the other Andrej Martin Igor Zelenay Artem Dubrivnyy clients – can find everything they need for fitness training (fitness centre), regeneration (wellness centre) and the restaurant Strawberries with top quality food. The restaurant and the hotel rooms have direct minds of tennis fans thanks to major domestic and of 15.000 USD (July) or the latest indoor tour- views of the clay courts. Even children can have a international tournaments. The most important of nament EMPIRE Women‘s Indoor, Prize Money lot of fun using a mini-court, reflective wall with and them include the largest women‘s tournament in 15.000 USD (February). Men players and women jungle gyms. The complex includes green areas, Slovakia EMPIRE Slovak Open with Prize Money players of the World Top 100 or 200 ATP/ WTA rest areas with gazebo and a petanque field. of 100.000 USD (May), men‘s international tour- rankings regularly participate at the above men- The complex TC EMPIRE Trnava gets into the nament EMPIRE Futures Trnava with Prize Money tioned tournaments.

The tennis complex on Hajdoczyho Street is tory of the club. It allowed the construction of a TC EMPIRE TRNAVA the home of the top club TC EMPIRE Trnava. beautiful tennis complex as well as organization Major achievements in 2017 Major achievements in 2017 Major achievements in 2017 Its history dates back to 1972 when organized of major international tennis events. In 2013 the tennis began to flourish on the courts of the for- club TC EMPIRE Trnava reached the third place singles winner, ATP challenger, San Luis doubles winner (partnering Mikhail El- singles & doubles winner (partnering On- mer Slavia. Until 2009 the club worked under the in the ranking of Slovak clubs. In 2014 it finally Potosi Challenger, Prize Money 50 000$, San gin (RUS)), Open BNP Paribas Banque De drej Styler (CZE)), The 24th Slovak Junior In- name of TC Slavia Trnava. Transformation of the became the most successful club in Slovakia and Luis Potosi, Mexico, clay, outdoor (April) Bretagne, ATP Challenger, Prize Money 43 door U18 2017, Grade 2, Senec, Slovensko, club from the civic association into a joint stock it was repeated in the seasons 2015, 2016 & singles quarterfinalist, ATP challenger, 000€, Quimper, France, hard, indoor (February) hard, indoor (January) company, which took place in September 2006, 2017, too. CHINA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGER doubles winner (partnering Roman Jebavy singles semifinalist & doubles runner-up QINGDAO 2017, Prize Money 125 000$, (CZE)), ATP Challenger Tour, Prize Money 43 (partnering Alejandro Fokin (ESP)), RPM is considered a significant milestone in the his- Our main goal is to offer complex facilities and Qingdao, China, clay, outdoor (April) 000€, Cherbourg, France, hard, indoor (Feb- Junior Open 2017, Grade 1, Vestec, Czech provide professional sports training for children ruary) Republic, carpet, indoor (January) CLUB and players of the club and to enlarge the play- singles quarterfinalist, ATP Challeng- er, NECKARCUP, Prize Money 64 000€, doubles winner (partnering junior Grand Slam, Roland Garros, Paris, er base with emphasis on children preparation. Heilbronn, , clay, outdoor (May) (AUT)), ATP challenger, INTERNAZIONALI France, clay, outdoor (June) The club organizes the largest number of tour- singles winner, ATP Challenger, Advan- DI TENNIS D’ABRUZZO, Prize Money 43 junior Grand Slam, Wimbledon, Great Brit- naments in Slovakia during the year, altogether tage Cars Open 2017 by Zenova, 000€, Francavilla al Mare, Italy, clay, outdoor ain, grass, outdoor (July) 17 tournaments. Prize Money 43 000€, Prague, Czech, clay, (April) singles runner-up, ITF Futures, EMPIRE outdoor (July) doubles winner (partnering Julian Knowle Futures Trnava 2017, Prize Money 15 000 won one point in singles, : Slo- (AUT)), ATP Challenger, , USD, Trnava, Slovakia, clay, outdoor (July) vakia - Poland, Bratislava, Slovakia, clay, out- Prize Money 127 000€, Braunschweig, Ger- runner-up, European Summer Cups U18, door (September) many, clay, outdoor (July) La Rochelle, France, clay, outdoor (August) member of Davis Cup team, singles semifinalist ATP Challenger, Milo Davis Cup: singles quarter-finalist, ITF Futures, Sum- Open, Prize Money 50 000$, , Colombia, Slovakia - Poland, Bratislava, Slovakia, clay, mer Cup, Prize Money 15 000 USD, Moscow, clay, outdoor (October) outdoor (September) Russia, clay, outdoor (August)

(16) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (17) EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017

Miloslav Grolmus appreciates the attitude of his Japanese trainee Ken Onishi

We are workingstands behind them.on At his age he is very clever.his weapons He can plan many things himself, think ahead. Many players are still in puberty at his age, it does not apply to him. He’s a professional, he’s doing a lot of things alone. At times, of course, we have talks when something is not going the way we want, why it has not been possible to work on it. Miloslav Grolmus leads the 21-year-old He thinks and communicates, asks. That’s fine, Japanese tennis player Ken Onishi from because I have my feedback. “ May 2017. The former No. 28 ITF junior is on a way to his career maximum. “He What was the most positive experience was very compact when he arrived, but for you in 2017? he did not have any weapon. That is “It was a stay in Asia at the end of the season and our goal what we’re working on now. his family’s behaviour towards me. In the second In men’s tennis, there is no secret, the tournament in Malaysia, he played the semi-finals player must have a good forehand on after he did not get well in the first tournament clay,” says Grolmus, who wants Ken to and went through a tiny crisis. I appreciate this. hit the challenger category in the new He was able to play on the hard courts to play ag- season, and has already managed the gressively, made points with forehand, with solid Futures level. net play. The game had dynamic and aggressive parameters. The last match of the season was You cooperated with Ken Onishi since played with a friend in the doubles at the Kobe May 2017. What is the difference Challenge. They played in the quarterfinal on between Ken from May and Ken in center court against the favourite players, later December 2017? winners McLachlan / Uchiyam and he played “First of all I want to say that Ken was solid in May excellent.” when he came. Japanese coaches made it easy rounds, but there are not enough points to en- for me, he come up very technically prepared. How did he deal with coming to ter the first five hundred. We will also try to play He was very compact, but he was missing a gun Slovakia. Was that a big change? challengers, in January we are going to for what we do. In male tennis, there is no secret, “I think well. We have done so much for his good and he will be playing also the Japanese league. “ the player must have a great forehand on clay. adaptation along with club management. This in- For instance, he has a very good kick. We also cluded temporary stay, visas, accommodation, Where do you see his potential? focus on the length of strike. His style will always travel to fitness exercises, day planning. We did “I can’t say, it cannot be predicted, he can get be that he needs to the opponents to hold back, everything professionally. Personally, I invited under unnecessary pressure. The goal is to get have to go with them over long rally and lay them him to Slovak restaurants, tasted also halusky, in the first five in 2018. But he realizes that this down. He is getting used to it. At some of the pork neck, dumplings. He was interested in it. is not the question of one year and that he would tournaments that we were in Asia at the end of This transition also depends on how people have to fight for it.” the year, he played great forehand, but he is not around him can help. He is also glad to be in a used to it yet. We want him to be confident in it.” small town where he has space to prepare. He is How did you get used to traveling? Is it not crowded with a big city. He’s not in the stress, as much as when you played? What are you still working on? he’s relaxed.” “Maybe more. I have been doing this work for “On physical condition. In November he was ten years. I’m a professional coach, I don’t put at a fitness camp in Liptovsky Jan. I think that around No. 300 in the ranking, but he said him- play 5-6 matches in one week. Week after week. What will be your goal next year? much thought towards it. I have to be able to re- with regard to his dynamics on the court, he has self he needed to move up physically. His match- This is what wins the match.” “To win the Futures category, move to the Top spond to the demands of my protege. It is part the great potential in this. It must be dynamic, es are long sometimes, sometimes two and a half 500 of the ATP rankings. He himself said he was of my profession. It is important that he would be explosive. When he wants to be a top player, up to three hours. Having played a semi-finale What is his approach to training and not ready for this in the 2017 season. He played cared for, that he has enough information from he must be an animal. In the season he played after such a game, the problem is to keep the the match? 18 tournaments, he was in two semi-finals, me about tactics to match, analyse, statistics, two semi-finals, overcame several tennis players rally. When he is physically fit, he will be able to “He has discipline, he has clear goals and he played in the quarter-finals, many of the second and move forward.”

(18) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (19) 2017 2017

Saturdays from early morning and it is open for all ITF Women‘s Circuit, Prize Money 100.000 USD visitors who come to the Tennis Centre EMPIRE 10th EDITION Trnava. There is a bouncy castle, face painting, animators with lots of games, sports and physical competition and mini-tennis available for children. Family Day will culminate by the Singles Semi-Fi- EMPIRE Slovak Open 2018 nals and the Doubles Final. ABOUT Kasatkina, Karolina & Kristyna Pliskova, Barb- ment. Reportages on the event regularly appear VIP Day, Partners Day THE TOURNAMENT ora Strycova, Magdalena Rybarikova, Marketa on the screen of the largest Slovak TV stations Saturday belongs to the partners of the event for Vondrousova, Veronica Cepede-Royg, Jana Ce- as well as in the press or on the global websites. which we have prepared the Doubles Tournament. In the season 2018 the tournament EMPIRE pelova, Simona Halep, Klara Koukalova, Janette At the end of the day there will be an evening re- Slovak Open held in May in Slovakia shall be the Husarova, Urszula Radwanska, Cagla Buyukak- TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE ception held in the Restaurant Strawberries at the largest women‘s tennis event which has been cay, , Yvonne Meusburger, Ya- Day Date Time Hotel EMPIRE. Besides the refreshments there proud of the name International Women‘s Ten- nina Wickmayer,Sandra Zahlavova, Anastasija Saturday 12th May 10.00 Qualifying 1st round will be the Award Ceremony held for the VIP Tour- nis Championship of Slovakia since 2013. Dur- Sevastova, Michaella Krajicek, Shahar Peer, Sunday 13th May 10.00 Qualifying 2nd round nament Winners. ing the past nine years the event has brought Karin Knapp, Lucie Hradecka, , Qualifying Final and 1st Monday 14th May 11.00: excellent performances of many Top 100 WTA Tereza Smitkova, Denisa Allertova, Jovana Jak- round of the Main Draw dividual sports with great marketing potential, as ing partnership offer at the tournament EMPIRE Main Draw 1st round THE OFFER FOR THE Ranking Players and gained a stable place not sic, 2015 winner Danka Kovinic or 2016 edition Tuesday 15th May 11.00 evidenced by the ranking of the world‘s best tennis Slovak Open offers a unique opportunity for ef- Singles and Doubles only in Slovakia but also on the world stage. Due winner Katerina Siniakova. Every year the top players and women tennis players at the top ranks fective marketing promotion of your company at Singles 1st and 2nd PARTNERS to its increased Prize Money of 100.000 USD it young talents of this sport from Slovakia are given Wednesday 16th May 11.00 round and 1st round of Tennis has long been among the most popular in- of the best earning sportsmen. Tennis is a sport the most significant women´s tennis tournament belongs to the world‘s largest and best ITF tour- the opportunity to play besides the well-known Doubles of gentlemen and besides maintaining physical fit- in Slovakia. Our offer includes a wide range of mar- Singles 2nd round and naments. names. Thursday 17th May 11.00 ness it is also a great opportunity for making new keting tools while the exclusive partner is offered Doubles Quarter-Finals BASIC INFORMATIONS Recently, the top players already presented their EMPIRE Slovak Open has reached the hearts of friendships and maintaining existing ones. the possibility to join its company name with the Singles Quarter-Finals Tournament name: EMPIRE Slovak Open 2018 mastery on clay courts of our tennis complex, not only the players, but also of all the fans who Friday 18th May 12.00 and Doubles Semi-Fi- Organizer: TC EMPIRE Trnava EMPIRE Slovak Open tournament has gained official name of the tournament Thus it will be fea- for example Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Daria create excellent atmosphere during the tourna- nals a stable position not only in the calendar of ITF tured on the ITF website as well as in the media Saturday 19th May 13.00 Singles Semi-Finals Prize Money: 100.000 USD professional circuit, but also in the program of the with national broadcasting. EMPIRE Slovak Open Not before 16.00 Venue: TC EMPIRE Trnava Complex players and the audience. The aim of the TC EM- is an ideal opportunity to make new personal and Doubles Final Date: 12 – 20 May 2018 PIRE Trnava organizing team is to improve con- business contacts with potential partners, invited Sunday 20th May 11.00 Singles Final Number of players: stantly the conditions for the players and to be the guests and tennis supporters. We believe that EVENTS DURING 32 in main draw and 32 in qualifying most important tennis event in Slovakia. Advertis- jointly we will organize the top tennis event again. THE TOURNAMENT Player‘s party During the tournament, Tuesday evening after 19:00 is always dedicated especially to players that have the opportunity to get to know each PARTNERSHIP OFFER other as well as to know the partners and the EP GAP MAP AP MP EP GAP MAP AP MP organizers of the tournament. The party takes Advertising leaflets A3 at Name of the Partner in the tournament name ✓ − − − − ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ place in the attractive atmosphere of the Hotel the Trnava City advertising spaces (30 pcs) EMPIRE**** and the Restaurant Strawberries. TA3 (40 spots) ✓ ✓ ✓ − − Advertising Banner in Trnava City ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ As an inseparable part of the evening there are, Radio Jemne melodie (40 spots) ✓ ✓ ✓ − − Internet advertising campaign ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ of course, gastronomic delicacies and delicious Mestska televizia Trnava/Trnava Local TV Station ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Posters A3 (50 pcs) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ drinks accompanied by nice music. (TV shots on the news and on the web site www.mtt.sk) Posters A4 (50 pcs) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Bilboards ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ The day with the stars Posters A5 (500 pcs) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ The jubilee 10th EMPIRE Slovak Open 2018 will Daily Paper Sport (2 x 1/2 page) Advertising Banners (central court) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ also bring an extraordinary meeting of fans with ten- Tennis Arena (1 page A4 + web) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ nis celebrities. On the occasion of the anniversary of Advertising Banners (side courts) the tournament there is an exhibition of famous play- My Trnavske Noviny/Trnava Local Newspaper ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Roll Ups in shopping centres in Trnava (2 pcs) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ (2 x 1/2 page) ers of the local EMPIRE Tennis Academy. In Trnava, Partner Speech at the Final Winners Ceremony ✓ ✓ − − − portal www.trnava-live.sk advertising article ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ we also welcome a number of past winners of our Winners Awarding Ceremony ✓ ✓ − − − tournament, which undoubtedly entered the history Trnavske ECHO/Trnava Local Newspaper (2 x 1/2 page) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ of the biggest women’s tennis event in Slovakia. Advertising Banner at www.empireslovakopen.sk − − − Advertisement on the bulletin back page (200 pcs) ✓ ✓ − − − Tennis Centre Services (free entries for tennis) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Day for Families with Children A day full of entertainment is held every year on EP – Exclusive Partner GAP – General Advertising Partner MAP – Main Advertising Partner AP – Advertising Partner MP – Media Partner

(20) empireslovakopen.sk /EmpireSlovakOpen /EMPIRESlovak /EmpireSlovakOpen /user/ClubEMPIRETrnava/videos (21) 2017 2017 WINNERS OF TRNAVA WOMEN‘S TOURNAMENT

EMPIRE Slovak Open 2013 EMPIRE Slovak Open 2016 EMPIRE Slovak Open 2015 EMPIRE Slovak Open 2014 (5th Annual) (8th Annual) (7th Annual) (6th Annual) Prize Money: 75 000 USD Prize Money: 100 000 USD Date: Prize Money: 100 000 USD Prize Money: 75 000 USD Date: 6 – 12 May Date: 7 – 15 May Date: 2 – 10 May Date: 5 – 11 May Singles Winner: Barbora Zahlavova- Singles Winner: Katerina Siniako- Singles Winner: Singles Winner: Anna Karolina Strycova () va (Czech Republic) Danka Kovinic (Montenegro) Schmiedlova, (Slovakia) Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Mervana Jugic-Salkic (Bosnia (Russia) Tereza Mihalikova (Slova- Julia Beygelzimer (Ukraine) () a Herzegovina) kia) (Russia) Saisai Zheng (China) Renata Voracova (Czech Republic)

EMPIRE Trnava Cup 2012 EMPIRE Trnava Cup 2011 EMPIRE Trnava Cup 2010 EMPIRE Trnava Cup 2009 EMPIRE Slovak Open 2017 (4th Annual) (3rd Annual) (2nd Annual) (1st Annual) (9th Annual) Prize Money: 50 000 USD Prize Money: 50 000 USD Prize Money: 25 000 USD Prize Money: 25 000 USD Prize Money: 100 000 USD Date: 30 July – 5 August Date: 1 – 7 August Date: 8 – 15 August Date: 10 – 16 August Date: 13 – 21 May Singles Winner: Singles Winner: Singles Winner: Singles Winner: Singles Winner: (Latvia) Yvonne Meusburger (Austria) Sandra Zahlavova (Czech Republic) Yvonne Meusburger (Austria) Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: Doubles Winners: , Elena Bogdanova (Romania) Janette Husarova (Slovakia) Iveta Gerlova (Czech Republic) Lucie (Austria) (both Great Britain) Renáta Voracova (Czech Republic) Renata Voracova (Czech Republic) Kriegsmannova (Czech Republic) Vladimira Uhlirova (Czech Republic)

(22) empireslovakopen.sk /EmpireSlovakOpen /EMPIRESlovak /EmpireSlovakOpen /user/ClubEMPIRETrnava/videos (23) TC EMPIRE TRNAVA 2017 TC EMPIRE TRNAVA Plan of tournaments and events 2018 The place and moment of TOURNAMENT / EVENT DATE TOURNAMENT / EVENT DATE

The Slovak Indoor Tennis Championship U12 EMPIRE Cup U16 2018 13.–16. 1. 15.–22. 7. 32 girl players U12 meet to win the title of the The International Tournament U16 of the third 2018 2018 January Slovak Indoor Champion highest category July EMPIRE Futures Trnava 2018 21.–29. 7. EMPIRE Women’s Indoor 2018 The International Men‘s Tournament, Futures cate- Jana Šindelová 3.–11. 2. 2018 The International Women‘s Tournament with Prize gory, Prize Money 15.000 USD 2018 February Money 15.000 USD Memorial of JUDr. Ivan Cierny 2018 3.–6. 8. The U12 National Tournament of the second hi- EMPIRE Cup U18 2018 3.–11. 3. 2018 International Tennis Tournament, Grade 4 2018 ghest category EMPIRE Kids Cup U10 2018 11. 8. Michal Motyčka 2017 March EMPIRE Kids Cup 2018 17. 3. The U8 National Tournament of the children The National Indoor Kids Tournament U8 2018 2018 Day of the Open Doors Summer Tennis Camp 13.–17. 8. The weekly tennis camp for all children 2018

The Presentation Day of the tennis club TC EMPIRE Tr- August 7. 4. nava full of fun and competitions for children connec- MT&O – Doubles Veteran Players 2018 18. 8. ted with the start of the summer tennis season and The Doubles Tournament of Trnava Tennis League 2018 Jana Šindelová is an artist, critic, and cura- April also with recruiting of children to tennis preparation. Veterans 35+ Trnava Cup 2018 tor. Since 1996 she has displayed her works 22.–29. 4. Summer Tennis Camp 20.–25. 8. The U14 International Tennis Tournament of the at numerous solo and group exhibitions in 2018 The weekly tennis camp for all children 2018 second highest category the Czech Republic and abroad.Her works Extra League MT&O – Doubles OPEN are part of many prominent public and pri- 30.4. – 4.5. 1. 9. The most prestigious Slovak Men and Women The Open Singles Tournament of Trnava Tennis vate collections (The National Gallery of Art 2018 2018 Team Competition League Amateurs Washington, D. C). Since 2003 she has col- EMPIRE Slovak Open 2018 Regional Round of Kids Davis Cup and Fed Cup 08.–9. 9. laborated as a curator with the artist Václav 12.–20.5. The exhibition featured in the EMPIRE Tennis and moment, text and graphism. In Průhledy The International Women‘s Championship of Slova- The U10 Team Competition for Children 2018 Cigler and the architect Michal Motyčka. May 2018 Club presents the themes of Jana Šindelová’s (View Through) she studied the movement of kia, Prize Money 100.000 USD Day of the Open Doors previous works have been remarkable in that passing through, which complicated things for of personal experience and that her ‘print’ is not Trnava Mayor‘s Cup 2018 26. 5. The Presentation Day of the tennis club TC EMPI- they were not set in space and time, but in place itself and became movement in a labyrinth. It only marked by technique, but has above all a The Doubles Open Tournament of the veterans of 2018 RE Trnava full of fun and competitions for children 15. 9. became at the same time an unendingly compli- literal meaning: an active capturing of experi- Trnava Tennis League connected with the start of the summer tennis 2018 cated process of doubting... Miroslav Petříček ences while they are occurring.“ It is not easy to

MT&O – Doubles OPEN September wrote: “Disorientation helps us to become aware photograph a firework. It is too late to release the 02. 6. season and also with recruiting of children to ten- The Doubles Open Tournament of the non-professio- of direction. It is important, however, that the au- shutter the moment the firework explodes. You 2018 nis preparation. nal players of Trnava Tennis League thor was able to transfer this reflection without have to have the instinct to release the shutter a 40th Anniversary of the Trnava Tennis League Ama- 22. 9. Slovak U16 Championship 2018 reserve to the medium of graphic art, and to little earlier, but then again, the firework may not 11.–15. 6. teurs 2018 48 best boy and girl players U16 in Slovakia meet show that she can imprint it in a sculptural form. go off when and where you expect. Hunting in 2018 Tournament for Parents and the Club‘s Friends to win the title of the Slovak Indoor Champion 29. 9. Through this method she made a connection darkness with light as your quarry is quite an ad-

June Slovakia Open 2018 Ending of the tennis season for parents, the Club with land-art, but was apparently inspired by dif- venture. Fireworks are fiery and explosive con- 21.–24. 6. 2018 Prestigious international wheelchair tournament of friends and donors ferent experiments with less usual materials and structions created from individual points, circles 2018 the third highest category technologies. It is fundamental that she convert- and squares, a simple geometry which she has EMPIRE Juniors Cup 2018 Team‘s tournament Das Blaue Wunder II., 2002, ed the theme of place and moment into a record always interested. 19.–22. 6. 9. 11. The U18 National Tournament of the second hi- Ending of the tennis season for the members of TC mixed media, 790 x 1070 mm 2018 2018 ghest category November EMPIRE Trnava teams (all categories) My work entitled “Blue Miracle” is inspired by a land- Průhled I.– XII., 2001, linocut, 1000 x 700 mm mark in Dresden – dominant, but at also delicate The linocut technique inspires many creative possibilities; it EMPIRE Trophy Cup U14 2018 30.6.–04.7. St. Nicolas Day structure of a bridge that was the only one to sur- is clearly defined in my work, not only from the perspective of The U14 National Tournament of the highest category 2018 1. 12. Giving presents at the sporting day full of chil- vive the bombing in the Second War, being the only technique but also in the printing itself. I work with many variants MT&O – Singles Veteran Players 2018 7. 7. dren‘s pleasure and fun route across the Elbe river – DAS BLAUE WUNDER. of reduction linoleum block printing and I also combine relief and The Amateur Singles Tournament of the veterans July 2018 The prints were made during my stay in Dresden intaglio techniques. Most of the time I do not have an exact idea of of Trnava Tennis League The West Slovak Regional Indoor Tennis Championship December 8.–11. 12. and stem from the design of East German linoleum, what the final print will look like; I approach the final stage intuitively. 24 best boy players meet to win the title of the Summer Tennis Camp 9.–13. 7. 2018 a strange aesthetic that I subconsciously know but Out of the prints i create graphic cycles, which are autor’s prints or The weekly tennis camp for all children 2018 West Slovak Regional Champion can’t explain. series printed in very low editions.

(24) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy /EmpireTennisAcademy /EMPIRETennis (25) EMPIRE TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 Thank youEMPIRE partners TENNIS ACADEMY 2017 Rent of the tennis courts GENERAL ADVERTISING PARTNER ADVERTISING PARTNERS The club TC EMPIRE Trnava offers the general public excellent playing conditions for tennis throughout the whole year. Besides providing training facilities for all players of TC EMPIRE Trnava, the club organises many important domestic and international tourna- ments, and club is available for the public throughout the year. We offer a wide range of playing facilities for the public, 13 courts in summer and 6 courts in win- ter, with a range of options from hourly entry, season tickets or to booking tennis lesson with a renowned tennis trainer of the TC EMPIRE Trnava. After playing PEPSI_S1_3PMS_SM (FOR USE .25" TO 1.5")

PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE tennis you can relax in our restaurant or club bar. We 2945 185 300 are looking forward to your visit. Everyone has a pos- sibility to use season-ticket during the whole winter or summer season for a competitive price.

Reservation of season-tickets: PEPSI_S1_3PMS_MEDIUM (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4")

PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE +421 911 170 738, Tomas Boleman, sport director 2945 185 300 Reservation of the courts in the hall and reservation of clay courts: By telephone: 033/59 20 800 – reception of the hotel EMPIRE or by internet on www.tcempire.sk

Opening hours of the air-inflated hall in summer season:

Whole week: 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM PEPSI_S1_3PMS_LARGE (4" AND LARGER)

PANTONE PANTONE 300 2945 185 CYAN 100 CYAN 0 CYAN 100 To convert the PEPSI logo to 4 - color process MAGENTA 69 MAGENTA 100 MAGENTA 42 please use these values; YELLOW 17 YELLOW 82 YELLOW 0 Opening hours of the air-inflated hall in winter season: BLACK 3 BLACK 0 BLACK 0 Monday to Friday: from 07:00 AM - 09:00 PM Weekends: from 8:00 AM - 09:00 PM Opening hours of the tennis hall in the hotel EMPIRE during both winter and summer seasons: from 07:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

TC EMPIRE Trnava organises a huge range of important domestic and in- ternational tennis events, informa- Partnership Proposal tion about is detailed on this website. During seasons these events created GENERAL MAIN ADVERTISING MEDIA great interest, and not only the tennis PARTNER ADVERTISING PARTNER PARTNER public. The events represent a unique 40 000 € PARTNER opportunity to draw attention to your Advertising surface: 20 000 € 10 000 € 3 000 € company through the advertising outdoor courts banners surrounding the outside clay tennis hall EMPIRE Advertising surface: Advertising Partner: Advertising surface: courts as well as in the tennis hall of outdoor courts outdoor courts Hotel services outdoor courts the Hotel EMPIRE. wellness tennis hall EMPIRE tennis hall EMPIRE fitness gym We would like to offer partnership co- restaurant Media campaign Media campaign Media campaign operation for the 2018 tennis season, YES YES YES Seasonal ticket with the following promotional ser- YES Seasonal ticket Seasonal ticket vices based on the amount of annual Seasonal ticket SUMMER SUMMER funding and the relevant category of Seasonal ticket SUMMER SUMMER/WINTER WINTER WINTER the partnership. MEDIA PARTNERS

(26) empire-tennis-academy.com /EmpireTennisAcademy (27) 21 hotel rooms

Gym Wellness Centre

Restaurant Strawberries The Congress Room

Contact: Hotel EMPIRE Jána Hajdóczyho 11 917 01 Trnava Art Empire Tennis Hall Slovakia +421 33 5920 800 [email protected] www.hotelempire.sk GPS N 48.386953 E 17.588167