A day prior to the start of the qualifying tournament at the Banka Koper Slovenia Open Katarina Srebotnik and Dinara Safina introduced themselves to the fans on the Tartini Square in Piran. There they played an exhibition match on the provisional court set for this occasion.

This unusual tennis performance on the ancient town square attracted many passer-by tourists; some onlookers have even arrived just to see to top level tennis players in action.

After the end of this interesting match-up the players visited the city hall where they were greeted by Tomaz Ganter, the Mayor of the Municipality Piran. The mayor highlighted in his short speech the importance the tournament has on the development and promotion of Portoroz as well as on the Municipality of Piran. He also wished them lot of luck at the upcoming tournament. Kata and Dinara then signed into the golden book of guests of honour. The players also received a monograph of Piran in Slovenian and English language as a thank you present. 

Both athletes devoted some time also to their fans and signed quite a few autographs and at the end posed to the camera lenses.

More detailed photogallery of this attractive event is published in our photogallery.