Nearly 300 of the world’s top senior tennis players are doing battle in the European Senior Championships in Umag, Croatia this week.

The event, which sees players from 36 nations go head-to-head on 7-13 June, includes over 30 Top 10-ranked players and four current world No. 1s on the ITF Seniors Tour.

Germany’s Christian Greuter, the reigning men’s singles world champion and No. 1 in the 55+ age category, for instance, is leading the line as top seed in the 55’s category.

The European Senior Championships marks the first event on the Seniors Calendar at S1000 level – a new grade introduced in 2021 for the highest level tournaments on the ITF Seniors Tour – and is being played on a stage befitting its status: across two adjacent venues, including the iconic ATP Stadium.

Participants are competing for the maximum 1000 ranking points on offer, as well as the opportunity to claim a European title in any of the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

The European Senior Championships is one of the most significant events on the ITF Seniors Tour after the flagship ITF World Championships. Large player fields, significant tournament history and the direct involvement of Tennis Europe in its organisation and delivery make it a standout event on the calendar, with the ITF and Tennis Europe working closely together on the event's position within the calendar, choice of venue, promotion and grading of the event.

Regional Championships like these were first introduced by the ITF in 2012 as flagship events for regions to grow, develop and promote Seniors Tennis. As well as the European Senior Championships, there have also been regional Seniors Championships in Oceania and North America, since 2014, South America since 2015, and Asia, since 2019. The ITF is aiming to bring regional championships to all regions across the globe by 2022.

Regional championships are 'open' events, allowing players from any nation to participate. As a result, they often generate strong entry among elite players, but also encourage plenty of participation across the multiple age groups on offer.

The Umag event provides something of a warm-up for the ITF Young Seniors and ITF Seniors World Championships later this year, which will take place at the same venue on 29 August to 25 September.

Follow the draws and results from the event via the tournament page here.