The Italian Open (the former Italian International Championships) is a tennis tournament held in Rome, Italy. But the men’s event is an ATP Tour Masters 1000 on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour. On the contrary, the women’s event is a WTA 1000 on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour. For the first 80 years, the men’s and women’s titles were separate events though. However, in 2011, they decided to combine the two.
Thus, the Italian Open is one of the key clay tennis titles in the world. For the male edition, the event is also famous as the Rome Masters.
Moreover, if you would prefer to know more about the Italian Open, you are welcome here. Ahead we shall be stating many more unknown facts about this Italian tennis title. Hence, scroll over and keep reading along.
History
Thus, the Italian Open has a pretty lengthy history of champions who have enhanced its status. Moreover, there are many others, who despite not winning have added glory to it.
Count Alberto was the founder of the Italian Open. Thus, the first tennis championship took place in Milan in 1930 at the Tennis Club. Thus, Bill Tilden and Lil Alvarez won the singles at the first tennis event.
Until 1934, the titles were all held in Milan. However, in 1935, the event shifted to Rome’s Foro Italico. Between 1936 and 1949, there were no further editions though. Therefore, in 1950, the competition resumed. Moreover, the event took place at the Sporting Club in Turin in 1961.
Facts
Different Names
Although the Italian Open is its official name, it is also quite popular as the sponsor’s name, Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Moreover, you might have also heard it being called the Rome Masters as it is an ATP Masters 1000 event. Initially, though, the Italian Open was widely famous as the Italian International Championships.
Tradition
Therefore, the Italian Open is the fourth oldest ATP Masters 1000 event (1899). It came after the Canadian Open (1881), the Monte-Carlo Masters (1897), and the Cincinnati Masters (1899). Thus, the first tournament took place in 1930. While Bill Tilden of the US won the men’s event, Alvarez of Spain won the women’s event.
Combining
Likewise, for the first 80 years, the men’s and women’s tournaments were separate events. However, they decided to merge the two in 2011, as already said earlier. Although the women’s tournament is a WTA 1000 event, it is optional. After becoming a joint ATP-WTA event, Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.
Italian Open & Its Venue
The setting up of the Foro Italico sports complex began in 1928. It includes the Stadio Olimpico as well as an aquatics center. Besides, there are 11 clay courts at the tennis center. Among these, 8 are used for events and 3 are used for training.
Further, it houses 3 show courts too. The new Campo Centrale here opened in 2010 and can seat up to 10,400 viewers. The other 2 primary courts are Super Tennis Arena and Stadio Pietrangeli. Moreover, the latter is one of the most stunning tennis settings in the world. It is half-buried and skirted by 18 marble statues.
Italian Open & Roll of Honor
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Rafael Nadal ruled the event. He is a Spanish tennis player who has won the Italian Open title 9 times. In addition, with 5 titles, Novak is the next best in line. Further, Thomas Muster ranks third with 3 titles to his credit.
However, Rafael holds other records at the same time as well. They include the most running titles won (3), most solid finals (6), and most straight matches won (17). Rafael has appeared in 11 finals, while Novak has played in 10.
Likewise, Alexander defeated Novak in the final of the 2017 ATP Masters 1000. Thus, he became the first player born in the 1990s to win an ATP Masters 1000 title.
Talking of the women’s event, Chris Evert has 5 titles to her resume. On the contrary, Martinez, Gabriela, and Serena Williams have all won the title 4 times each.
Italian Open Doubles
Neale Fraser of Australia has won 6 doubles titles. On the other hand, Roy, Brian, and Raul – each have 4 to their credit. Thus, the Bryan Brothers have 4 titles under their belt among the current crop.
Wade of the UK has 4 doubles titles to her name. Likewise, Martina, Hingis, and Shuai have won thrice each.
Italian Open & Lack of Its Success
The last Italian to win the men’s game was Adriano in 1976. Reggi, another Italian, won the women’s event in 1985 for the last time. However, Sara managed to finish second to Serena in 2014. Thus, there is indeed a lack of wins from the Italian side.
How to Watch Italian Open
Thus, to watch the event online, you will need to subscribe to Prime. You can find the highlights on YouTube’s Primer sports page though. Further, if you don’t have a membership, you can enjoy a 30-day free trial plan too. Therefore, you can easily watch the 8-day long game anytime through the free plan. Call your friends and family over, and have a nice watch party in your cozy homes.
Italian Open & Its Tickets
The official Italian Open website is the best place to buy tickets to the event. Thus, Central Court tickets are available for the main stadium, the Grand-Stand arena, and the area of the grounds. In addition, it includes outdoor courts as well.
Special tickets go on sale too. They give added offers such as access to an AC lounge area and a separate entrance. Good Hospitality, Club Suite Package, Courtside Hospitality, Gold and Platinum Rome with lower-tier seating, and hotel bookings are the options.
Italian Open & Its Previous Winners
ATP
-
Carlos Moyá – 2004
- Rafeal Nadal – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2021
- Novak Djokovic – 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020
- Andy Murray – 2016
-
Alexander Zverev – 2017
WTA
- Amelie Mauresmo – 2004, 2005
- Martina Hingis – 2006
- Jelena Janković – 2007, 2008
- Dinara Safina – 2009
- María José Martínez Sánchez – 2010
- Maria Sharapova – 2011, 2012, 2015
- Serena Williams – 2013, 2014, 2016
- Elina Svitolina – 2017, 2018
- Karolína Plíšková – 2019
- Simona Halep – 2020
-
Iga Świątek – 2021
Italian Open 2021
The event eventually shifted back to May 2021. In 2020, however, it had to be moved to the middle of September due to the pandemic. Only a small number of viewers attended it though. But after the second round, 25% of fans received a permit to be at the event. The 2021 edition took place from 8-16 May.
Italian Open Prize Money
The men’s prize pool for the 2021 Italian Open was €2 million, while the women’s pool was €1.5 million. So, the money distribution among the winners and runner-ups in each category is as follows:
- Men’s Singles – €245,085 (Winner) and €145,000 (Runner-up)
- Women’s Singles – €178,630 (Winner) and €132,258 (Runner-up)
- Men’s Doubles – €50,000 (Winner) and €35,000 (Runner-up)
- Women’s Doubles – €54,032 (Winner) and €35,476 (Runner-up)
The overall ATP prize pool for the 2021 edition was €2,082,960. There was also a decrease of 39.9% from €3,465,045 for the ATP. Thus, from €1,692,169 to €1,577,613, the WTA side saw a lower drop of 6.77%.
Despite the drop in total prize money, the ATP winner got €245,085 – a 19.44% rise over 2020’s total. The WTA winner, however, won €178,630, a decline of 12.94% from 2020. Thus, this year’s runner-ups won €145,000 after a 3.33% cut.
Italian Open Results and Winners (Last 5 years)
Italian Open 2017
Men’s Singles
Winner – Alexander Zverev
Runner-up – Novak Djokovic
Score – 6-4, 6-3
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Pierre-Hugues Herbert & France Nicolas Mahut
Runner-up – Ivan Dodig & Marcel Granollers
Score – 4-6, 6-4, 10-3
Women’s Singles
Winner – Elina Svitolina
Runner-up – Simona Halep
Score – 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Chan Yung-jan & Martina Hingis
Runner-up – Ekaterina Makarova & Elena Vesnina
Score – 7-5, 7-6
Italian Open 2018
Men’s Singles
Winner – Rafeal Nadal
Runner-up – Alexander Zverev
Score – 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Juan Sebastian Cabal & Robert Farah
Runner-up – Pablo Carreño Busta & João Sousa
Score – 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
Women’s Singles
Winner – Elina Svitolina
Runner-up – Simona Halep
Score – 6-0, 6-4
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Ashleigh Barty & Demi Schuurs
Runner-up – Andrea Sestini Hlaváčková & Barbora Strýcová
Score – 6-3, 6-4
Italian Open 2019
Men’s Singles
Winner – Rafael Nadal
Runner-up – Novak Djokovic
Score – 6-0, 4-6, 6-1
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Juan Cabal & Robert Farah
Runner-up – Raven Klaasen & Michael Venus
Score – 6-1, 6-3
Women’s Singles
Winner – Karolína Plíšková
Runner-up – Johanna Konta
Score – 6-3, 6-4
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Victoria Azarenka & Ashleigh Barty
Runner-up – Anna-Lena Grönefeld & Demi Schuurs
Score – 4-6, 6-0, 10-3
Italian Open 2020
Men’s Singles
Winner – Novak Djokovic
Runner-up – Diego Schwartzman
Score – 7-5, 6-3
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Marcel Granollers & Horacio Zeballos
Runner-up – Jeremy Chardy & Fabrice Martin
Score – 6-4, 5-7, 10-8
Women’s Singles
Winner – Simona Halep
Runner-up – Plíšková
Score – 6-0, 2-1 ret.
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Hsieh Su-wei & Barbora Strýcová
Runner-up – Anna-Lena Friedsam & Romania Raluca Olaru
Score – 6-2, 6-2
Italian Open 2021
Men’s Singles
Winner – Refael Nadal
Runner-up – Novak Djokovic
Score – 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Nikola Mektić & Mate Pavić
Runner-up – Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury
Score – 6-4, 7-6
Women’s Singles
Winner – Iga Świątek
Runner-up – Karolina Plíšková
Score – 6-0, 6-0
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Sharon Fichman & Giuliana Olmos
Runner-up – Kristina Mladenovic & Marketa Vondrousova
Score – 4-6, 7-5, 10-5
Italian Open 2022
Men’s Singles
Winner – Novak Djokovic
Runner-up – Stefanos Tsitsipas
Score – 6-0, 7-6
Men’s Doubles
Winner – Nikola Mektić & Mate Pavić
Runner-up – John Isner & Diego Schwartzman
Score – 6-3, 6-7(6-8), [12-10]
Women’s Singles
Winner – Iga Świątek
Runner-up – Ons Jabeur
Score – 6-2, 6-2
Women’s Doubles
Winner – Veronika Kudermetova & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Runner-up – Gabriela Dabrowski & Mexico Giuliana Olmos
Score – 1–6, 6–4, [10–7]
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