Tennis is back was in force with Winners Open, in 2020! After the lockdown, we invited 6 young talents on the clay field, at Winners Sports Club Cluj, in a friendly tournament, but with a high stake: $ 10,000 – the biggest prize. In addition, the winner had the chance to play in a demo doubles match with Marius Copil, against the romanian olympic team: Simona Halep and Horia Tecau.
Irina Begu, Jaqueline Cristian, Irina Bara, Gabriela Ruse, Georgia Craciun and Miriam Bulgaru said YES to the challenge. The players gave their best on the court and we were able to watch matches full of emotions, many with surprising results. Jaqueline Cristian made a beautiful figure in the qualifying match played with Irina Begu and won in the tie-break, after a spectacular comeback. In the semifinals, we watched Irina Begu vs. Irina Bara and Jaqueline Cristian vs. Gabriela Ruse.
Gabriela Ruse was the big winner of the Winners Open tournament. She came out victorious in the decisive match played with Irina Begu. Simona Halep handed her the grand prize, and at the end of the tournament we’ve enjoyed a real show by Simona Halep & Horia Tecau and Gabriela Ruse & Marius Copil. Our champions showed us that sport means competition, but also lots of fun.
Simona Halep: It was a pleasure to come to Cluj and enter the field again after a very difficult period for everyone. And last year at the Sports Festival (n.r. 2019) I lived a special moment and a wonderful evening with all the emotion of the event, the video with my parents… I don’t cry on the field, but it was a very emotional moment.
Horia Tecau: It felt great to be back on the tennis court with these guys, Simona Halep, Marius Copil, Gabriela Ruse! I really missed it and I’m grateful to the organizers for doing such a great job with this event! You made it possible and safe for everybody!
Marius Copil: Another beautiful action in Cluj organized by Sports Festival. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to remember during this difficult period how beautiful it is to be on the field with dear people, Gabriela Ruse, Simona Halep, Horia Tecau.
Gabriela Ruse: I did not see Winners Open as a friendly tournament. I tried to give my best. I was very happy that I had the opportunity to play the demonstration match with such big names of tennis.
The tournament was without spectators, to take care of the safety of the players. However, the matches were broadcast live on the Sports Festival facebook page and on Digi Sport and can be reviewed here.
Even though we kept our distance, the sport brought us together again.
