In Europe he can’t walk down the street without getting mobbed.

And in the first week of August, he’ll be tying up his tennis shoes at the North Shore’s only annual professional sporting event, the Odlum Brown VanOpen.

Former world top-10 player Marcos Baghdatis is hoping to take the VanOpen title on a comeback trail from back and knee issues.

In 2008, the 24-year-old reached the fourth round of Wimbledon. Earlier this year the Cypriot professional competed in the fourth round of the Australia Open.

“I am very excited to be coming to Vancouver,” Baghdatis stated in a press release. “I have heard great things about the city and the tournament and I look forward to playing there.”

He’s not the only big name this year, tournament director Ryan Clark noted.

Former top-20 player and 2002 Wimbledon semi-finalist Xavier Malisse of Belgium will be playing alongside American Rajeev Ram, who last week captured his first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) title at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Championship.

Other ATP and Grand Slam veterans coming to town include American Michael Russell and Germany’s Michael Berrer. VanOpen 2006 champion Rik De Voest of South Africa will be returning this year and Canadian Davis Cup member Peter Polansky is also taking to West Vancouver’s Hollyburn Country Club’s courts.

“When everybody comes here, they come here to battle,” Clark said.

VanOpen is a kind of crossroad, as up-and-comers rise through the ranks and those trying to stay on top fight to slip a few more wins under their belts, he said.

This year the tournament has upped the kitty. The men will be competing for $111,810, while the women’s prize has been bumped from $28,319 to $84,968.

Tennis buffs are encourage to watch the free qualifying matches on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. Players will take to the courts at 10 a.m. both days.

First round gets underway on Monday, Aug. 3.