The Hologic WTA Tour`s clay-court season continues next week with the second straight WTA 1000 tournament: the Internazionali BNL d`Italia held in Rome, Italy.
This historic event in the Italian capital, which first took place in 1930, is celebrating its 82nd anniversary this year.
As is typical, a strong field of players will compete at the Foro Italico courts for the title. The 96-player singles draw will feature 68 of the top 70 players according to the PIF WTA Rankings.
This two-week tournament kicks off its main draw on Tuesday, May 6. The singles final is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, followed by the doubles final on Sunday, May 18. The winner of the singles title will receive more than 877,000 Euros and 1000 ranking points.
Key Facts
Here`s a breakdown of key information about this upcoming elite event:
- Main-Draw Start Date: Tuesday, May 6
- Singles Final: Saturday, May 17, not before 5 p.m.
- Doubles Final: Sunday, May 18 at 12 p.m.
- Qualifying Dates: Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6
- Main-Draw Ceremony: Monday, May 5 at 11 a.m.
- Singles Main-Draw Size: 96 players (including 12 qualifiers and 8 wild cards); first-round byes for the 32 seeds
- Doubles Main-Draw Size: 32 teams
- Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (BST +1, EST +6)
- Tournament Ball: Dunlop Fort Clay Court
Ranking Points and Prize Money
- First round: 10 points | €13,150
- Second round: 35 points | €21,215
- Third round: 65 points | €38,313
- Round of 16: 120 points | €66,110
- Quarterfinals: 215 points | €124,700
- Semifinals: 390 points | €240,380
- Finalist: 650 points | €456,735
- Champion: 1000 points | €877,390
Key Storylines
Some notable storylines to keep an eye on in Rome:
- Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, has been the dominant force in Rome this decade, winning the title three times (2021, 2022, 2024). Her 2021 victory included a rare 6-0, 6-0 final win over Karolina Pliskova. Swiatek boasts an impressive 20-2 record (90.9% win rate) at the tournament.
- Should Swiatek secure a fourth title, she would match the Rome records of Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez, and Gabriela Sabatini. The all-time record is held by Chris Evert with five titles (1974-75, 1980-82).
- Aryna Sabalenka arrives in Rome as the World No. 1 for the first time and leads the tour in main-draw wins this year. After a previously modest record in Rome, she reached her first final at the Internazionali BNL d`Italia last year, where she lost to Swiatek.
- Former champion Elina Svitolina, who won consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018, is showing strong form, making her a contender for a third title. She began the clay season with a flawless 9-0 record (18-0 in sets) before her streak was ended by Sabalenka in the Madrid semifinals.
- Elena Rybakina, another past champion, returns after winning the event in 2023. Despite her ranking currently being just outside the Top 10, she has an excellent 10-2 record at this tournament.
- Coco Gauff aims to build on her clay-court momentum. She reached her first WTA 1000 clay-court final in Madrid after defeating Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals. Gauff previously reached the semifinals in Rome in 2021 and 2024, losing to Swiatek on both occasions.
- Jasmine Paolini will play her home tournament for the first time ranked in the Top 10. Her previous record in Rome is modest, with only two wins in five main-draw appearances, including a first-round exit last year. However, she has since reached two Grand Slam finals in 2024 (Roland Garros and Wimbledon).
