On Saturday (July 11), the official press conference of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Athens Open WTA 250 took place ahead of the tournament, which will be held fromJuly 11 to July 19, 2026, at the Olympic Tennis Centre (Stadion Sports Center).
On Saturday (July 11), the official press conference of theVanda Pharmaceuticals Athens Open WTA 250took place ahead of the tournament, which will be held fromJuly 11 to July 19, 2026, at theOlympic Tennis Centre (Stadion Sports Center). The event marks the return of a WTA tournament to Athens after 36 years.
Among those attending the press conference were CEO ofStadion Sports CenterAlexandros Skarlatidis, Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and SportsIoannis Vroutsis, Deputy Minister of TourismAnna Karamanli, Vice Governor of the Northern Sector of AthensMargarita Varsou, and Greece's top ranked playerMaria Sakkari.
Tournament PresidentAlexandros Skarlatidisopened the press conference by welcoming the return of a WTA event to the Greek capital and congratulating everyone involved in bringing the tournament to life. He also highlighted Maria Sakkari's tremendous contribution to the growth of tennis in Greece.
Alexandros Skarlatidis said:
"It is with great pleasure and honor that we welcome you today to Stadion Sports Center, Athens' premier private tennis venue, where we are proud to host the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Athens Open WTA 250.
As Stadion Sports Center, we are extremely proud to stage this tournament at our facilities. This event represents much more than a major sporting competition. It reflects our vision of establishing our venue as a modern destination for sport, hospitality and international events. Our goal is to create a memorable experience for everyone involved, including players, spectators and visitors."
Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and SportsIoannis Vroutsisthen emphasized the importance of hosting an international event of this caliber, noting that it forms part of Greece's broader strategy to strengthen sport and upgrade its sporting infrastructure. He also underlined that the return of a WTA tournament to Greece after several decades further enhances the country's international presence in tennis.
Ioannis Vroutsis said:
"After 36 years, Greece is once again part of the WTA Tour calendar.
We are hosting the Athens Open WTA 250, featuring some of the world's top professional players, including Maria Sakkari, at the modern, renovated facilities of Stadion Sports Center, located within the iconic Olympic Tennis Centre at the OAKA Olympic Complex.
In recent years, Greece has confidently pursued, organized and hosted major international sporting events with consistency, planning and ambition. This is a strategic choice that we have been implementing methodically through the Ministry of Sports, ensuring that our country maintains a strong presence on the international sporting map.
With modern infrastructure, over 500 sports projects across the country, annual funding approaching €150 million for sports organizations, reforms promoting greater transparency and a clear strategy, we are establishing sport as a driver of development, social cohesion and international recognition.
Congratulations to the tournament organizers. Every event of this standard proves that Greece has the capability, the experience and the determination to successfully host world class sporting events with global appeal."
Deputy Minister of TourismAnna Karamanlialso expressed the government's support for the tournament, highlighting the significant benefits such an event can bring to both Greek tourism and the country's international profile.
Anna Karamanli said:
"Through this tournament, Greece and Athens further establish their place on the international tennis stage while strengthening the country's reputation as a premier destination for major international sporting events. Greece is a mature destination with modern infrastructure and extensive expertise, capable of delivering first class experiences for both athletes and spectators.
At the Ministry of Tourism, we view international sporting events as ideal ambassadors for Greece, showcasing the country's capabilities as well as the unique experiences it offers. That is why we continue to invest strategically in the development and promotion of sports tourism.
Such events highlight not only our major urban centers but also destinations throughout the country, extending the tourism season while providing meaningful support to local communities and regional economies.
Sports tourism, with its remarkable global growth, serves as a powerful driver of sustainable development across every region of Greece."
Vice Governor of the Northern Sector of AthensMargarita Varsoustressed that Athens has all the necessary qualities to establish itself as a regular host of major international sporting events and as a meeting point for elite athletes.
Margarita Varsou said:
"I am among the many Greeks who have fallen in love with tennis thanks to Maria Sakkari and our country's outstanding champions. It is a great pleasure to be here today representing the Governor of the Attica Region, Nikos Chardalias.
It is a great honor for the Region of Attica to place this tournament under its auspices, recognizing its importance for the development of tennis, the promotion of sport and the international visibility of Attica.
The tournament also showcases Athens as a modern European capital capable of successfully hosting events of the highest standards, generating significant benefits for sports tourism, the local economy and Greece's international image.
As Greece's largest region, we actively support initiatives that promote sport, strengthen extroversion and create new opportunities for growth."
The final speaker was Greece's leading female tennis player,Maria Sakkari, who described the tournament's arrival in Athens as a very special moment, admitting that competing in front of her home fans had always been one of her biggest wishes.
Maria Sakkari said:
"I thought I might finish my career without ever having the chance to play in front of my own people, my own fans.
I'm no longer focused on rankings and numbers. I simply want to enjoy competing for as long as I continue playing because a professional career doesn't last forever.
My immediate goal is to win the Athens tournament. Beyond that, I want to enjoy the matches, the travel and my personal development. I don't want to set a specific ranking target because, honestly, that's no longer my priority."
Following the conclusion of the press conference, the official main draw ceremony took place. Maria Sakkari was drawn againstPolina Kudermetovain the opening round, with their match scheduled forMonday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. local time.
