In A Country Devastated By The Coronavirus, Italy Still Has Their Sights Set On Hosting Top Event - UBITENNIS

In A Country Devastated By The Coronavirus, Italy Still Has Their Sights Set On Hosting Top Event

With a mounting death toll due to the deadly Coronavirus outbreak, the Italian Tennis Federation share their view about the chances of hosting a top-level tennis tournament this year.

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read

With the entire tennis tours suspended until June 7th due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian Tennis Federation (FIT) isn’t giving up their hope of hosting one of their top events.

Each year the country’s capital of Rome stages the prestigious Italian Open. A combined tournament played on the clay which is categorised as a Masters 1000 event for the men and as a Premier 5 for the women. Rafael Nadal holds the record for most trophies won at nine. Meanwhile, Chris Evert is the most successful woman with five titles to her name.

This year the tournament faces a crisis it has never experienced in its 90-year history. The Coronavirus outbreak has devastated the entire nation. 4825 people have been killed by the virus, which is the highest death toll in the world. On Saturday, authorities reported almost 800 deaths within 24 hours. Under the current climate, hosting any form of sporting event appears inconceivable.

However, FIT president Angelo Binaghi hasn’t given up hope yet. In a recent interview he has hinted that his federation are still hoping to stage a tournament later this year at some stage. Revealing that a change in both venue and surface remains on the cards.

“We plan to reschedule the Internationals (Internazionali BNL d’Italia) this year.” Binaghi told Sky Sport 24.
“We would be very happy to be one of the preparatory tournaments for Roland Garros. We would like them to play in Rome, but we are willing to organize them in any venue and on any surface.”

It is unclear as to where else Italy could stage such a big tournament like Rome. Which features a total of 128 main draw players within seven days. Milan is the current venue of the ATP Next Gen finals at the PalaLido. A multi-sport indoor venue that can seat just under 5500 people. Meanwhile Palmo currently hosts a WTA event on clay.

Binaghi has pledged to invest three million Euros to support local tennis clubs and young players in Italy affected by the pandemic. In an Open letter, he said he is able to provide this amount of financial support due to the ‘use of the assets that FIT has been able to accumulate over the past few years.’

“At the most difficult moment in the recent history of our country – reads the Federtennis website – Sport is also paying a very high price. From all over Italy we receive reports that describe in detail the enormous difficulties in which our movement finds itself and testify to the concern for the unknowns regarding the future.” He said.

It is unclear as to how likely Italy will be able to stage a major event later this year with the ATP and WTA in the process of making major adjustments to their calendars. Earlier in the week, the French Open said their tournament will now be played in September after the US Open. A move that has effectively cancelled a string of men’s and women’s tournaments.

Only time will tell if the world’s best tennis players will be gracing their presence in Italy later this year.

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