The Italian ATP Masters 1000 has received a facelift just in time for its 57th edition, and excitement is in the air at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The moment you walk through the gates, you can feel the vibrant energy of Italian tennis, which is thriving like never before.
A New Era for Italian Tennis
The Foro Italico, adorned with marble statues that hint at Rome’s rich history, is buzzing with a modern vibe. It’s not just the enthusiastic fans filling the stands; there’s a real tennis boom happening in the heart of Italy.
One devoted fan proudly declared, “We are Jannik’s girls,” while sporting an orange jersey with ‘Alo Jannik’ on it. “We adore him; he’s simply the best in the world—no debate. Plus, he’s a down-to-earth guy.”
Jannik Sinner has returned to Rome, and the crowd made sure he felt the love. As he practiced on Campo Centrale, the chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé, Sinner” rang out, a testament to his historic achievement as the first Italian to reach No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
But the enthusiasm doesn’t stop with Sinner. Lorenzo Musetti has also made a name for himself, breaking into the Top 10 and becoming the sixth Italian to achieve this milestone. His recent victory over defending champion Alexander Zverev in front of a lively crowd showcased his talent, and he made history by being the first Italian to reach the semi-finals in all three clay-court ATP Masters 1000 events in one season.
Musetti shared, “A full stadium is a huge advantage. The fans have been incredible throughout the week. I felt the adrenaline from the very first point.”
This year, four of the six Italians who have ever cracked the Top 10 were featured in the main draw in Rome, alongside Sinner and Musetti: Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini. Fognini, who has made 18 appearances in Rome—the most for any male player—bid farewell to the tournament this year, adding an emotional note to the event.
“I have so much love for the fans,” Fognini said. “I want to be remembered as someone who showed passion, sometimes too much, on the court. That’s how I felt about my work and tennis.”
This passion is deeply rooted in Italy’s tennis culture, and as a new generation rises, they are eager to make their own mark, inspired by the support of their home fans.
Luca Nardi, a 21-year-old who won a main-draw match as one of three Italian wild cards this year, reflected on what it means to play in front of his home crowd. “I used to come here as a kid to watch the tournament,” he said after a thrilling match against Flavio Cobolli. “Playing here is an amazing feeling; the crowd is incredibly motivated and cheers for us. Each year feels special.”
Sinner has held the World No. 1 title for 48 weeks, racking up six tour-level titles and only three losses. His success has raised expectations and inspired fellow players. “Sinner’s progress motivates us all,” Nardi acknowledged. “I know Lorenzo, Flavio, and everyone else really well; it drives us to do our best.”
This wave of optimism is backed by investment from the Italian Tennis Federation, which has committed to enhancing the ATP Masters 1000 event with a revamped Foro Italico and the addition of a new 3,200-seat stadium: the Super Tennis Arena.
“Every major tournament is looking to innovate, but Rome is unique,” said tournament director Paolo Lorenzi. “We have a rich history, and this venue serves not only tennis but other cultural events as well. We built this court from scratch, surrounded by statues, creating something truly special for the players to experience.”
As Rome embraces a new era, the Foro Italico has undergone significant renovations ahead of this year’s ATP Masters 1000 event, now featuring three new courts within the iconic Stadio dei Marmi.
Currently, there are seven Italian men in the Top 50, and WTA World No. 5 Jasmine Paolini highlights the strength of Italian tennis. Lorenzi recognizes the positive impact these rising stars have, not just on the court, but also on Italy’s reputation in the sport. Their professionalism and character are crucial to