Rome, 15 April (H.S.):

Bolstering its ascendant stature in global tennis, Italy will host a novel grass-court ATP tournament prior to Wimbledon starting 2028. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired rights to the ATP 250-level event currently held in Brussels each October, relocating it to June in Italy.

Federation President Angelo Binaghi announced Tuesday that while the venue remains pending finalization, climatic considerations favor northern Italy as the likely host.

He hinted at Milan's iconic San Siro Stadium as a prospective site, where grass courts could be laid within the football pitch. Binaghi noted that practice courts inside Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu for the Madrid Open render this concept far from unprecedented.

Italy previously hosted a women's grass-court tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, the nation will stage ATP Finals in Turin through 2030 and Davis Cup Finals in Bologna through next year.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Italian Open intensify ahead of next month's edition. Jannik Sinner's recent Monte Carlo Masters final triumph over Carlos Alcaraz fuels hopes he could become Italy's first men's singles champion there in 50 years.

The federation revealed that construction of a retractable roof over the Italian Open's main 'Campo Centrale' court will commence immediately post this year's event, targeting completion by 2028. Stadium capacity will subsequently expand from 10,500 to 12,400 seats.

Binaghi affirmed ambitions to elevate the Italian Open into tennis's fifth Grand Slam, alongside the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

He declared, We contemplate this goal daily. It represents a slender opportunity, yet securing it would yield enduring benefits for Italy. This is our dream.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar