ENKA Open Press Conference Takes Place
A press conference was held ahead of the ENKA Open WTA 125 International Tennis Tournament, which will take place in Istanbul between July 12–19, 2026.
The press conference was attended by Turkish Tennis Federation President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil, ENKA Sports Club Sports Coordinator Ayşegül Baklacı, ENKA Open Tournament Director Altuğ Çelikbilek, national tennis players Çağla Büyükakçay and Ayla Aksu, and the tournament's number 1 seed, Anastasia Zakharova.
Ms. Müderrisgil: “We want to transform Türkiye into one of the hubs for international tennis organizations”
Turkish Tennis Federation President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil expressed her gratitude to the host ENKA Sports Club, highlighting the club's deep-rooted role in Turkish tennis:
"ENKA is one of the most vital milestones of Turkish tennis. As a club that has brought valuable athletes to Turkish sports and tennis for years, today it hosts an internationally prestigious WTA 125 tournament. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this valuable organization."
Ms. Müderrisgil stated that the ENKA Open is one of the key events reinforcing Türkiye's strong position in international tennis organizations.
Emphasizing that Türkiye strengthens its place on the international tennis calendar with each passing year, Ms. Müderrisgil conveyed the federation's vision with the following words:
"One of our primary goals is to transform our country into one of the hubs for international tennis organizations. We successfully host numerous events featured on the calendars of the International Tennis Federation, WTA, ATP, and Tennis Europe. Thus, we both bring world tennis to our country and offer our athletes the opportunity to compete at a global level in their homeland."
Recalling that when they took office, only one ATP Challenger and one WTA 125 tournament were organized in Türkiye, Ms. Müderrisgil noted that today, the 2026 season will conclude with four ATP Challenger and nine WTA 125 tournaments, describing this as an important indicator of progress for Turkish tennis.
Touching upon Türkiye's history of hosting international women's tennis events, Ms. Müderrisgil recalled that organizations like the Istanbul Cup, which began in 2005, and the WTA Finals held between 2011–2013 left significant marks on world tennis. Ms. Müderrisgil noted that Çağla Büyükakçay's historic WTA singles championship in Istanbul in 2016 was one of the most important turning points for Turkish tennis internationally, adding that having 10 Turkish tennis players, including Çağla Büyükakçay and Ayla Aksu, competing in the ENKA Open this year is a distinct source of pride.
Baklacı: “We continue to contribute to Turkish sports”
ENKA Sports Club Sports Coordinator Ayşegül Baklacı stated that ENKA is a deep-rooted club that has been raising athletes for Turkish sports from the grassroots level to the Olympic level for years:
"We are a club that serves Turkish sports, raises athletes from grassroots to the Olympic level, and makes all the necessary investments for this purpose. We share a mindset that contributed to the growth of many athletes sitting at this table today. We have been trying to serve Turkish sports with devotion for many years. We are happy to host all athletes at the ENKA Open and wish success to everyone participating in the organization."
Çelikbilek: “It will be the scene of high-level competition”
ENKA Open Tournament Director Altuğ Çelikbilek stated that following an intensive preparation process, they are ready for the organization and that the tournament will feature high-level competition:
"There will be high-level competition in the tournament. I would like to thank the entire team who contributed during the preparation phase and wish success to our athletes."
Büyükakçay: “Playing a WTA tournament at home brings great happiness”
National tennis player Çağla Büyükakçay, who has been an ENKA Sports Club athlete for over 20 years, expressed that competing in such a major event at her own club carries a special meaning for her:
"I am very happy that we are playing a WTA tournament at home. I have been an athlete at ENKA Sports Club for over 20 years. It is wonderful that young athletes will have the opportunity to watch both us and successful players from different countries around the world on court. I believe this is extremely valuable for the development of Turkish tennis."
Aksu: “We welcome everyone for support”
National tennis player Ayla Aksu expressed her joy in competing in such an important event at her own club:
"It is gratifying to have such an organization held at our own club. We are very happy to play in this tournament. We will play our first match tomorrow. We welcome all tennis lovers to the courts to support us."
Zakharova: “I am happy to be here”
The tournament's number 1 seed, Anastasia Zakharova, expressed her pleasure in being in Istanbul:
"I am happy to be here. It will be a great competition. I believe I will gain a lot of experience in this tournament."
The ENKA Open WTA 125 International Tennis Tournament, which will take place between July 12–19 on the courts of ENKA Sports Club at the Sadi Gülçelik Sports Complex, will bring prominent names of world tennis together in Istanbul. Alongside world top-100 players Anastasia Zakharova, Lanlana Tararudee, and Hanne Vandewinkel, former world number 2 and Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva also stands out among the notable names in the tournament.
In the tournament, Türkiye will be represented in the singles main draw by Çağla Büyükakçay, Ayla Aksu, Deniz Dilek, and İrem Kurt. In the qualifiers, Duru Söke, İlay Yörük, Doğa Türkmen, and Ayşe Bal will fight for a place in the main draw. In the doubles category, the duos of Duru Söke / İrem Kurt, Ayşe Bal / Minel Naz Kaynak, Irmak Öztürk / Melis Yıldırım, and Deniz Dilek / Doğa Türkmen will take to the court.
All matches in the tournament can be followed free of charge by tennis enthusiasts.
