Rome Tennis: Complete Guide to the Italian Open at Foro Italico

Rome tennis is among the most celebrated in the world — the Internazionàli BNL d’Italia, commonly known as the Italian Open, is a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 clay court tournament held annually in May at the magnificent Foro Italico complex in Rome, Italy. With its iconic clay courts, electric atmosphere, passionate Italian crowd and stunning setting against the backdrop of Roman architecture and marble statues, the Italian Open is consistently ranked among the most spectacular events on the entire tennis calendar — and the most prestigious clay court warm-up before Roland Garros. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about Rome tennis: the tournament’s history, past champions, how to buy tickets and what to expect when you visit.

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What Is the Italian Open in Rome?

The Internazionali BNL d’Italia — the Italian Open — is a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 clay court tennis tournament held every May at Foro Italico in Rome. It is the largest clay court tournament in the world outside Roland Garros, and one of the most prestigious events on the entire ATP and WTA calendar. For the men, it is an ATP Masters 1000 event — the second-highest tier of tournament after the Grand Slams. For the women, it is a WTA 1000 event — equally the highest tier below Grand Slams. The tournament typically runs for approximately ten days in the second half of May, serving as the final and most important clay court warm-up before the French Open at Roland Garros. For context on the Grand Slam calendar, see our Grand Slam winners guide.

Foro Italico: The Home of Rome Tennis

Foro Italico is one of the most beautiful and historically significant sports complexes in the world. Originally built in the 1930s as the Foro Mussolini, the complex sits in a spectacular riverside setting along the Tiber in northern Rome, flanked by marble statues and overlooked by Monte Mario. Key courts and features include:

• Campo Centrale (Pietrangeli) — the historic main show court, an open-air clay arena with a capacity of approximately 10,000 and one of the most atmospheric tennis settings anywhere in the world. Named after Italian legend Nicola Pietrangeli.
• Campo Centrale (new central court / Grandstand) — the newer main show court built to host the biggest matches, with expanded capacity and modern facilities
• Grandstand Court — the second major show court, hosting high-profile matches throughout the tournament
• Outer clay courts — multiple additional clay courts throughout the Foro Italico complex, accessible with a grounds pass and offering intimate viewing of world-class players in early rounds
• Foro Italico setting — the complex’s marble statues, Roman architecture and riverside location make it one of the most visually stunning sports venues in the world

History of Rome Tennis: The Italian Open

The Italian Open is one of the oldest and most storied clay court tournaments in the world:

• 1930 — the Italian Championships is first held; one of the oldest tennis tournaments in Europe
• 1935 — the tournament moves to Foro Italico, its permanent home
• Post-war era — the Italian Open grows in prestige through the 1950s and 1960s, with Nicola Pietrangeli (for whom the main court is named) dominating Italian tennis
• Open era — the tournament becomes a key fixture in the men’s clay court season, attracting the world’s best players every May
• 2009 — elevated to ATP Masters 1000 status, cementing its position as the most important clay court event outside Roland Garros
• Recent years — the Italian Open has expanded in capacity and prestige, with the WTA 1000 event running concurrently and drawing the world’s best women’s players

Rome Tennis: Past Champions

Men’s Champions (ATP Masters 1000)

Rome tennis has been dominated by the clay court giants of the modern era:

• Rafael Nadal — the most successful player in Rome tennis history, winning the Italian Open a record number of times; his clay court dominance at Foro Italico is unmatched in the Open era
• Novak Djokovic — multiple Rome titles; uses the Italian Open as key preparation for Roland Garros
• Roger Federer — won in Rome during his clay court peak seasons
• Carlos Alcaraz — won the Italian Open as part of his emergence as the dominant force in clay court tennis
• Alexander Zverev — won in Rome demonstrating his clay court credentials

Women’s Champions (WTA)

• Serena Williams — multiple Rome titles during her dominant years
• Simona Halep — won in Rome as part of her clay court excellence leading to Roland Garros titles
• Elina Svitolina — won in Rome in back-to-back years during her clay court peak
• Iga Świątek — won in Rome as part of her extraordinary clay court dominance in the early 2020s

When Is the Italian Open in Rome?

The Italian Open in Rome is held annually in May — typically in the second half of the month, running for approximately ten days. It sits between the Madrid Open and Roland Garros in the clay court calendar, making it the final and most important warm-up before the French Open. Always check the official tournament website (internazionalibnlditalia.com) for the exact dates of the current year.

How to Get Tickets for Rome Tennis

Tickets for the Italian Open in Rome are available through the official tournament website. Options typically include:

• Campo Centrale session tickets — reserved seats for day and evening sessions on the main show court; book early as high-profile sessions sell out quickly
• Grandstand Court tickets — the second show court, excellent for watching top seeds in earlier rounds
• Grounds passes — access to all outer courts; excellent value and the best way to watch multiple matches and get close to top players during early rounds
• Multi-day passes — available for fans planning to attend multiple days

Pro tips for Rome tennis tickets:

• Book as early as possible — the Italian Open is hugely popular with Roman fans and international visitors alike
• First-week outer court grounds passes offer outstanding value — you can watch world-class clay court tennis at very close range
• Always purchase from the official website to avoid counterfeit tickets

Visiting Rome for Tennis: What to Expect

Getting to Foro Italico

Foro Italico is located in northern Rome along the Tiber, approximately 4km north of the Vatican. Getting there:

• Bus — multiple ATAC bus routes serve Lungotevere Maresciallo Cadorna, adjacent to Foro Italico; the most practical public transport option from central Rome
• Tram — Tram 2 from Flaminio (Piazza del Popolo) runs close to Foro Italico — a scenic and convenient option
• Taxi/rideshare — taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, FREE NOW) are readily available from central Rome; journey from the city centre takes approximately 15–20 minutes depending on traffic
• Walking/cycling — the riverside path along the Tiber makes for a beautiful walk or cycle from central Rome
• Car — not recommended during tournament week due to limited parking and significant traffic

Rome in May

Rome in May is one of the finest travel experiences in Europe — warm, sunny, with long evenings and the city in full spring bloom. Key tips for visiting during the Italian Open:

• Temperatures are typically 20–28°C — warm and sunny but not yet the intense heat of the Roman summer
• Book accommodation well in advance — Rome is busy year-round and tournament week adds significant demand
• Dress in layers — evenings can be cool, especially for night sessions
• Bring sun protection for daytime sessions — the Foro Italico is largely open-air and the May sun is strong
• Allow time to explore Rome — the Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese Gallery and Trastevere are all within easy reach

Rome Tennis and Clay Court Play

Watching the world’s best compete on the red clay of Foro Italico inspires players to improve their own clay court game. Key tips:

• Clay court shoes — proper clay court shoes with herringbone outsoles are essential for grip and safety; see our picks for clay court shoes women and clay court shoes men
• Topspin racket — clay rewards heavy topspin; a Babolat racket or Wilson racket with topspin-friendly string setup is ideal
• Baseline consistency — clay tennis rewards patience, consistency and physical endurance above all else
• Fresh overgrip — especially important in the warm May conditions; a fresh tennis overgrip makes a significant difference
• Warm up properly — clay court play demands more from the body; always follow our tennis warm-up guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tennis tournament in Rome called?

The Rome tennis tournament is officially called the Internazionali BNL d’Italia — commonly known as the Italian Open. It is an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 clay court event held annually in May at Foro Italico in Rome.

When is the Italian Open in Rome?

The Italian Open is held annually in May — typically in the second half of the month, running for approximately ten days. It is the final major clay court warm-up before Roland Garros. Check internazionalibnlditalia.com for the exact dates of the current year.

Where is the Italian Open played?

The Italian Open is played at Foro Italico in Rome — a spectacular sports complex in northern Rome along the Tiber, featuring multiple red clay courts surrounded by marble statues and Roman architecture.

Who has won the most Italian Open titles in Rome?

Rafael Nadal holds the record for the most men’s titles at the Italian Open in Rome, with an extraordinary number of victories on the Foro Italico clay. On the women’s side, multiple players have won the title more than once, including Serena Williams and Elina Svitolina.

How do I get tickets for the Italian Open in Rome?

Tickets are available through the official tournament website (internazionalibnlditalia.com). Options include show court session tickets, grandstand tickets and grounds passes. Book early — popular sessions featuring top seeds sell out quickly.

Is the Italian Open in Rome on clay?

Yes — the Italian Open in Rome is played on red clay (terre battue), making it the largest clay court tournament in the world outside Roland Garros. The slow, high-bouncing clay surface rewards topspin, baseline endurance and mental resilience.

How do I get to Foro Italico in Rome?

The best options are Bus (ATAC routes to Lungotevere Maresciallo Cadorna), Tram 2 from Flaminio/Piazza del Popolo, or taxi/rideshare from central Rome (approximately 15–20 minutes). Car is not recommended during tournament week.

You might also be interested in:

• Roland Garros Tickets: Complete Guide to Buying French Open Tickets
• Tennis Grand Slam Winners: The Complete All-Time Guide
• Brisbane International Tennis: Complete Guide to the UQ Tennis Classic
• Tennis Warm-Up Exercises: Prevent Injury and Play Better
• Best Beginner Tennis Rackets: Top Picks for New Players

Official Resources

• Internazionali BNL d’Italia — the official Italian Open website for tickets, schedule and player information
• ATP Tour — the official men’s professional tennis circuit
• WTA Tour — the official women’s professional tennis circuit
• Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel (FITP) — the Italian national tennis federation

Tournament information is accurate as of August 2026. Always check the official Internazionali BNL d’Italia website for the latest schedule, tickets and player information. Affiliate links help support Tennis Mindset at no extra cost to you.