The press conference of the 75th edition of the Interrnazionali d’Italia was held in Rome today. Angelo Binaghi, the President of the Italian Tennis Federation FIT, announced during the press conference that the qualification round matches will be held in the historic square Piazza del Popolo on 12th and 13th May before the main ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 tournaments kicks off in the famous Foro Italico complex.
“We owe the first big news to Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi. For the first time this year the qualifying matches will take place in Piazza del Popolo. There will be matches from 11 in the morning until late in the evening in the Piazza del Popolo that represents the entry to the capital more than any other. This is an example of the good relations we have with the city council to bring new opportunities and horizons to our tournament”, said Binaghi.
The only two missing players from the Main Draw of the Masters 1000 tournament are Roger Federer and Andy Murray. The WTA Premier 5 tournament will feature all the best 42 players in the World Ranking and two big stars Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
The organizers of the Internazionali d’Italia have given the wild-cards to Paolo Lorenzi, Andreas Seppi, Italian rising star Matteo Berrettini, the winner of the pre-qualifying tournament and to Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, who will end her glorious career in Rome in front of her fans.
Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli was among the special guests of the press conference. The famous Pietrangeli Court surrounded by Marble statues was named in history. Pietrangeli is among the very few tennis players to have received such an honour while still living. The other players are Rod Laver and Margaret Court.
“I am part of history. I entered this court for the first time during the match between Italy and Egypt.in 1951 as tennis official. Every Italian and foreign player told me that the Pietrangeli Stadium is the best tennis court in the world”, said Pietrangeli.
