From July 13 to 17, the Nida Grand Slam tournament is taking place in Nida for the eleventh time. Previously a gathering place exclusively for tennis players, this year the event has expanded to include men’s and women’s padel leagues and is record-breaking – featuring as many as 84 players. The general sponsor of the tournament is SME Bank, a digital bank for small and medium-sized enterprises.
As Akvilė Žilionė, Head of Communications for Nida Grand Slam, shares, it all started eleven years ago with a group of friends’ desire to spend their summers actively in Nida. Julius Makūnas, the author of the tournament’s idea, used to play tennis with his buddies, and one summer they decided to host a small friendly tournament among themselves. This is how the Nida Grand Slam was born.
“The biggest secret to the success of the Nida Grand Slam is the community. People return here not only for the sport, but also for friends, traditions, and the unique atmosphere of Nida. It has long become not just a sports tournament, but also a summer tradition,” says A. Žilionė.
“In the world of finance, just like on the tennis or padel courts, success is determined not only by individual strategy, but also by a strong community that sets a high pace. Nida Grand Slam is a unique space where athletic drive and business principles meet: endurance, discipline, and a focus on results. The SME Bank team believes that the sense of community born here in an informal setting transforms into valuable, growth-driving business partnerships,” states Laura Lučė, Head of Marketing and Communications at SME Bank.
This year’s tournament organizers, Norbertas Lipinskas and Andrius Zabulionis, share that the tournament has grown even more this year – men’s and women’s padel leagues are joining the traditional men’s and women’s tennis competitions.
“We wanted the Nida Grand Slam to become even more open so that more people could become a part of this celebration of sports. We paid great attention to the sports program and the participant experience. Everyone can expect partner activations, various activities, and the opportunity to watch high-level tennis and padel matches,” say the organizers.
Lipinskas and A. Zabulionis note that this year’s tournament is record-breaking, with 84 players participating.
“We are glad to welcome more and more participants every year from various cities in Lithuania, as well as Lithuanians living abroad. Even though the tournament is growing, the most important thing for us remains the community and the good atmosphere,” say the organizers.
The organizers of the tournament are pleased that SME Bank has become the general sponsor this year. According to them, such a partnership allows them to elevate the quality of the event, and the best part is that the bank’s team itself is actively getting involved and will participate in the tournament.
“We believe this is the start of a long-term partnership that will help the tournament grow in the future. Without partners, organizing an event of this scale would be significantly more difficult. Their support allows us to offer a higher-quality experience to the participants – from starting packages and prizes to partner activations and the overall organization of the tournament,” say N. Lipinskas and A. Zabulionis.
Žilionė shared that even guests who do not play will definitely find plenty to do upon arrival. During the tournament, partner activations will be running, refreshments and snacks will be available, and attendees can watch high-level tennis and padel matches. The organizers invite not only the players but also their families and friends to come.
“First, participating in or visiting the tournament is worth it for the unique atmosphere of Nida. Second – for the high-quality tennis and padel. Third – for the community, which creates the exclusive mood of this tournament,” says A. Žilionė.
“One of the most unique traditions of our tournament is that the next year’s tournament is organized by the previous year’s men’s doubles champions. This is how new ideas emerge every year, while the same values and community spirit of the tournament remain. We are also very pleased with our long-standing partnership with Novaturas, which has sponsored as many as eight trips for the tournament participants this year. This is one of the most anticipated prizes of the tournament – the winners will not only be able to enjoy their victory but also actively extend their summer in warmer countries. For us, this perfectly reflects the idea of Nida Grand Slam – an active lifestyle and summer adventures do not end with the final point of the tournament,” notes A. Žilionė.
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