San Siro Stadium in Milan May Host Grass-Court Tennis Event Starting 2028

A new grass-court ATP 250 event is set to take place in Milan, Italy, beginning 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, which was previously held in Brussels. The event is expected to be held annually in June, and while the San Siro stadium, home to AC Milan and Inter Milan, is a strong contender to host the tournament, a final decision has not been made. According to federation president Angelo Binaghi, the event will likely be held in northern Italy due to climate reasons. Binaghi also noted that the introduction of practice courts at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium could serve as a precedent for hosting the tournament at the San Siro. Italy has previously hosted a WTA grass-court tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation is also set to host the ATP Finals in Turin until 2030, the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna until next year, and the Rome Masters on clay before the French Open. Additionally, work on a retractable roof for the Campo Centrale at the Foro Italico is scheduled to commence immediately after this year's Internazionali BNL d'Italia, with completion expected in time for the 2028 edition. The federation president expressed his ambition to make the Rome tournament 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 since Adriano Panatta's victory 50 years ago.