A new grass-court ATP 250 tournament, serving as a warm-up for Wimbledon, is set to take place in Milan starting from 2028, with the iconic San Siro stadium being a potential venue. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation has acquired the rights to the tournament, previously held in Brussels, and plans to host it every June. While the exact location is yet to be decided, San Siro, with its massive capacity of over 75,000, is a strong contender.
The federation's president, Angelo Binaghi, mentioned that the event will likely be held in northern Italy due to climate considerations. Binaghi also drew inspiration from the Madrid Open, which is introducing practice courts within Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, suggesting that San Siro could be a viable option. Italy has previously hosted a grass-court WTA tournament in Gaiba from 2022 to 2024.
Additionally, the federation is 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. The plans for a retractable roof at the Foro Italico's Campo Centrale are also underway, aiming for completion by the 2028 edition. Furthermore, Binaghi expressed his ambition to elevate the tournament in Rome to the status of a fifth Grand Slam, rivaling the likes of Indian Wells and joining the ranks of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. As the tennis world looks to the future, Italian player Jannik Sinner is striving to become the first Italian man to claim the singles title at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta's victory 50 years ago.