San Siro in Milan May Host New ATP Grass-Court Event Starting 2028

A new ATP 250 grass-court event is set to take place in Milan, Italy, starting in 2028, with the iconic San Siro stadium being considered as a potential venue. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired the rights to the tournament, previously held in Brussels. The event will be held annually in June, and while the exact location is yet to be decided, Milan's San Siro, with its massive capacity of over 75,000, is a strong contender. According to federation president Angelo Binaghi, the decision will be influenced by climate factors, making northern Italy a likely location. Binaghi also drew inspiration from the Madrid Open's introduction of practice courts within Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting that San Siro could be an ideal choice. Italy has previously hosted a grass-court WTA tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. The federation is also set to host the ATP Finals in Turin until 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year, in addition to the Rome Masters on clay. Furthermore, plans are underway to install a retractable roof at the Foro Italico's Campo Centrale, with work expected to commence after this year's Internazionali BNL d'Italia and be completed in time for the 2028 edition. Binaghi expressed his ambition to establish the tournament in Rome as a fifth Grand Slam, rivaling the likes of Indian Wells and joining the ranks of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. Notably, Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner is aiming to become the first Italian man to win the singles title at the Foro Italico in 50 years, since Adriano Panatta's victory.