This year’s Italian Open is heading towards being held behind closed doors following a recent statement issued by a government committee.
Newspaper La Repubblica reported on Thursday that the Technical Scientific Committee (CTS) has rejected plans by the tournament to welcome spectators to the tournament this year. Saying that the current risk posed by COVID-19 in the country is too great to allow up to 17,000 people visit the tournament daily. According to the CTS, proposals regarding areas such as social distancing were not effective enough in preventing a potential outbreak in the region. Under current plans, seats are only separated by 43cm on the central court.
“The CTS analyzed the federtennis’ proposals, considering the daily presence of 17 thousand spectators not acceptable. Social distancing is impossible in big sporting events, unlike for example what can happen in cinema or theater.” La Repubblica reported.
The decision from the CTS is yet to be formally commented on by the Federazione Italiana Tennis (FIT), who are the governing body of tennis in the country.
Despite the blow, there is potentially still a chance that fans could be allowed to attend the event, which had originally planned to get underway in May prior to the Tour suspension. Gazzetta Dello Sport has said the ruling is not the final decision. Although the tournament does seem to be heading in the way of taking place behind closed doors.
The Italian Open is held at the Faro Italico in Rome and is regarded as one of the most prestigious clay-court events leading up to the French Open. It is categorised as a Masters 1000 event on the ATP Tour and as a Premier 5 on the WTA Tour. Rafael Nadal and Karolina Pliskova are the reigning champions.
This year’s Italian Open will take place between September 20-27.
