The ATP Finals, the Davis Cup Finals, and now a preparatory event for Wimbledon on grass courts may soon take place at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, traditionally known for soccer. This latest development is part of a broader initiative led by Jannik Sinner, the current world number one and reigning Wimbledon champion, to enhance Italy’s presence in the tennis world.
On Tuesday, Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, announced that the organization has acquired the rights to host a new 250-level ATP Tour tournament in Brussels, scheduled for October. Starting in 2028, this event will be held every June.
Binaghi indicated that the exact venue is still under consideration, with a preference for northern Italy due to climate factors. He pointed out that the Madrid Open is already utilizing practice courts at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, suggesting that following suit at San Siro could be a viable option: “For once, we wouldn’t be the first to do it,” he remarked.
Previously, Italy hosted a WTA grass tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. The federation is also set to hold the ATP Finals, currently taking place in Turin, through 2030, along with the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year.
In the meantime, preparations are underway for the upcoming Italian Open next month. Following Sinner’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final, there is a renewed sense of optimism that he could become the first Italian man to win the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta achieved this feat 50 years ago. Binaghi expressed confidence, stating, “We’ve got to try and win the men’s singles. The time is right,” while also highlighting that Italy boasts three additional players ranked in the top 25: Lorenzo Musetti at No. 9, Flavio Cobolli at No. 16, and Luciano Darderi at No. 21.
Last year, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the Rome final, which marked Sinner’s return from a three-month doping suspension. Meanwhile, Jasmine Paolini secured titles for Italy in both women’s singles and doubles, partnering with Sara Errani.
Plans for a retractable roof over Campo Centrale are set to commence immediately following the Italian Open this year, with the goal of completing it in time for the 2028 tournament. This upgrade will increase the stadium’s capacity from 10,500 to 12,400 for tennis events, with even larger accommodations planned for other sports, such as basketball.
Binaghi also reiterated his ambition to elevate the Italian Open to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, joining the ranks of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. He initially proposed this idea last year, which would significantly alter a century of tennis tradition. His federation is exploring the possibility of acquiring the Madrid Open’s license, which occurs just before the Rome tournament on the tennis calendar. The intention is to consolidate the events, potentially transforming Rome into a fifth Slam.
