A new grass-court ATP 250 tournament is set to take place in Milan, Italy, beginning in 2028, with the iconic San Siro stadium 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 San Siro, home to AC Milan and Inter Milan, is a likely candidate, a final decision has not been made. The federation's president, Angelo Binaghi, noted that the tournament will likely be held in northern Italy due to climate considerations.
This development comes as Italy continues to expand its presence in the tennis world, having previously hosted a WTA grass-court tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, the country is set to host the ATP Finals in Turin through 2030 and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year.
The Italian Tennis Federation is also working on installing a retractable roof at the Foro Italico's Campo Centrale, with completion expected by the 2028 edition of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Binaghi expressed his ambition to elevate the Rome Masters to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, rivaling the likes of Indian Wells. Meanwhile, 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.