Italian Open organizer eyes tournament as 5th tennis Grand Slam

[Lozo1016]

Exec eyes Italian Open as tennis' 5th Grand Slam

Italian Tennis president Angelo Binaghi wants to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam.

www.espn.com

ROME -- Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is dominating men's tennis and Italy swept both the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles last year.

Jasmine Paolini just became the first home player to win the Italian Open in 40 years and is about to move up to No. 4 in the women's rankings.

Players like Lorenzo Musetti, Federico Cinà and Tyra Caterina Grant provide the potential for Italy to dominate tennis for years to come. Still, Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi wants more.

Much more. Binaghi has the grandiose aim to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam tournament alongside the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, upending a century of tennis history.
"In what other part of society is there a monopoly that lasts for more than 100 years?" Binaghi said Sunday, the final day of the Italian Open. "Why are there always four and always the same four? ... It's absolutely unfair and doesn't help tennis grow."

The Italian Open is a Masters Series event that is one rung below the Slams in the hierarchy of tennis tournaments. But the event at the Foro Italico now runs for two weeks like the majors and is booming thanks to the successes of Sinner, Paolini and many other Italian players.

Italy has also hosted the ATP Finals in Turin since 2021 and recently extended its hosting contract for the year-ending tournament featuring the top eight men's players through 2030. Also, the Davis Cup Final 8 will begin a three-year run in Italy this November, starting in Bologna.

"We're now the world champion both on the court and at the organizational level," Binaghi said.

Earlier this year, Binaghi expressed interest in acquiring the license for the Madrid Open, which immediately precedes Rome in the tennis calendar. The idea was that eliminating Madrid and making Rome bigger could constitute a fifth Slam.

"We need to be attentive on the international market and try to take advantage of every opportunity that arises, from the smallest ATP 250 all the way up to the biggest tournaments," Binaghi said.
A request for comment sent to the Grand Slam board, which represents the four majors, was not immediately answered.

Retractable Roof After years of delays, organizers announced new plans to build a retractable roof over the Italian Open's main stadium, Campo Centrale.

At a cost of 60 million euros ($67 million), the roof is slated to be ready for the 2028 tournament and will also result in 2,000 extra seats being added - increasing the capacity to 12,500.

Larger grounds For this year's tournament, the event grounds at the Foro Italico were increased from 12 to 20 hectares (30 to 50 acres) and another statue-lined competition arena was added.

The Stadio dei Marmi hosted three courts: a 3,000-seat arena and two courts each featuring seating for 800.

The 3,000-seat arena became the tournament's third-largest show court after Campo Centrale and the Grand Stand Arena, making the Pietrangeli court - which also features an array of statues - the fourth largest.

 

[ND-13]

It should already be counted as a 5th major.

 

[StefanosRespecter]

It's too close to Roland Garos, maybe move it to March if you make it a Grand Slam?

 

[langley]

we don’t need a 5th major. indian wells would be first up anyway.

 

[Sudacafan]

I thought that was Indian Wells.

 

[Sudacafan]

Nobody needs a 5th Slam. Unless they want to disrupt all tennis stats to date. We were happy with 4 for more than 100 years. Why change?

 

[GoatNo1]

italy got some main position in ATP and tennis establishment. since that has many players from italy commit in top. italy got some really big events as DC final, hopman cup final, WTF and of course their biggest star was catch for doping but got some holiday as "punishment". and now they want to have 5th slam. i had very hard to believe that no other country could not get better offer to any of those big events! and some people think that PTPA did their lawsuit for nothing.

 

[dopinner]

Italy? Srsly the land of dopers lol

If a new it should be held in china

 

[langley]

Italy? Srsly the land of dopers lol

If a new it should be held in china

that could be cool actually

 

[Sudacafan]

All people or organizations pushing for a 5th slam should be considered dangerous criminals and prosecuted in any country associated with Interpol.

 

[StefanosRespecter]

I thought that was Indian Wells.

I thought that was Cincinnati.

 

[langley]

I thought that was Cincinnati.

As a Cincinnatian, I don’t want a fifth slam. even if it’s here.

 

[Lozo1016]

As a Cincinnatian, I don’t want a fifth slam. even if it’s here.

I'm just glad you guys got to keep the tournament, despite the push to move it to Charlotte.

 

[langley]

I'm just glad you guys got to keep the tournament, despite the push to move it to Charlotte.

i am as well. especially because this year will be my first year actually going. already scored tix for the finals.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Tennis needs to stay at 4 schlems. However, IF a tournament were to be elevated to schlem status it should be Rome. Historically it was considered more prestigious than any tournament outside of the schlems. In the 70’s it was Wimby, USO, RG, and Rome.

 

[Sudacafan]

Tennis needs to stay at 4 schlems. However, IF a tournament were to be elevated to schlem status it should be Rome. Historical it was considered more prestigious than any tournament outside of the schlems. In the 70’s it was Wimby, USO, RG, and Rome.

If Rome is elevated to Schlem status, some other needs to be demoted: candidate Australia.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Italy? Srsly the land of dopers lol

If a new it should be held in china

China should never get a slam. They need to leave all together

 

[Lleytonstation]

If Rome is elevated to Schlem status, some other needs to be demoted: candidate Australia.

Djoker most slams? Not so fast. I like it suddy.

 

[langley]

Breaking news: Italian Tennis President immediately scraps idea for Rome being the fifth slam after revelation it would just be more slams for Carlos and less for Jannik.

 

[fafa]

Rome should be a 1 week tournament like all the other M1000s.

 

[The Blond Blur]

If Rome is elevated to Schlem status, some other needs to be demoted: candidate Australia.

 

[-NN-]

We've already got 5 majors, we don't need another.

 

[Better_Call_Raul]

Forget about Indian Wells.
Rome stands alone as the most beautiful and prestigious Masters 1000 event, especially now amid the Renaissance of Italian tennis led by the young Sinner and the beloved Roman Paolini.
In the 1980s, players routinely skipped the Australian. None of the players like traveling to that regime down under anyway.

 

[DSH]

I thought that was Indian Wells.

Times change, pal.

 

[Fedforever]

Surely a 5th Slam should be indoors?

 

[DSH]

Surely a 5th Slam should be indoors?

That tournament already exists, it's called the ATP Finals.

 

[Sudacafan]

Forget about Indian Wells.
Rome stands alone as the most beautiful and prestigious Masters 1000 event, especially now amid the Renaissance of Italian tennis led by the young Sinner.
In the 1980s, players routinely skipped the Australian. None of the players like traveling to that regime down under anyway.

I so much miss Rome for Caligula and Nero times. The Circus, the attractions. Etc.

 

[Better_Call_Raul]

Just look at this beautiful historic venue. Indian Wells can not even compare.
It is wonderful to see this opinionated promoter aspire to lift Rome to glory as a Major.

Binaghi has the grandiose aim to make the Italian Open a fifth Grand Slam tournament, upending a century of tennis history.

"In what other part of society is there a monopoly that lasts for more than 100 years?" Binaghi said Sunday, the final day of the Italian Open.
"Why are there always four and always the same four? ... It's absolutely unfair and doesn't help tennis grow."

Champions Reel: How Jasmine Paolini won Rome 2025

No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini captured her third career Hologic WTA Tour title, second at WTA 1000 level and first on clay at the 2025 Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Paolini became the first Italian to win the tournament since Raffaella Reggi in 1985, when it was held in Taranto, and the first to do...

www.wtatennis.com

 

[toby55555]

Knowing sporting organisations Riyadh would be their favourite choice for a fifth slam.

 

[langley]

i’d love it if they introduced wood as a surface. with lacquers and sand lacquers now, there’s no reason why they can’t get the balls slow enough and have enough traction for feet . plus would make for BEAUTIFUL. courts.

 

[toby55555]

I watched tournaments on wood at Queens club back in the day - very fast.

 

[langley]

I watched tournaments on wood at Queens club back in the day - very fast.

yep. modern technology we could make them as slow or as gritty as we want. would make set up and tear down arguably easier than even hard as well.

 

[Hitman]

Everyone wants to be the fifth slam, but only Indian Wells or Miami are in the perfect slot for it.

No way can Rome be a fifth major, with a week off and there being another major. LOL - Everyone will be dead in Paris.

 

[bullfan]

FYI... IW thinks it's the 5th slam.... all the M1000 are proud of their tournament.

 

[TheGoldenEra1990’s]

No fifth slam or it cheapens the entire history of tennis

 

[InsuranceMan]

6th. Already cincy

 

[Sudacafan]

Rome should be a 1 week tournament like all the other M1000s.

All the other M1000’s are more than one week now.

 

[Lozo1016]

i’d love it if they introduced wood as a surface. with lacquers and sand lacquers now, there’s no reason why they can’t get the balls slow enough and have enough traction for feet . plus would make for BEAUTIFUL. courts.

I watched tournaments on wood at Queens club back in the day - very fast.

Shoutout to the 1985 Davis Cup tie between France and Paraguay

https://twitter.com/x/status/1269615341262389252

 

[Sudacafan]

I have already requested the mods to delete this thread and perma-ban all its participants except myself for earning the reward for snitching.

 

[weakera]

It should then be applied retroactively and Nadal awarded 10 new grand slams

 

[Sudacafan]

Italy? Srsly the land of dopers lol

If a new it should be held in china

No, that should be Russia, they dope better.

 

[Deleted member 827468]

only four, only gold standard..nothing else

 

[fafa]

All the other M1000’s are more than one week now.

Not MC, what I meant is they should all go back to 1 week format.

 

[Sudacafan]

Not MC, what I meant is they should all go back to 1 week format.

Understood, and with a Bo5 final as well?

 

[Deleted member 827468]

Understood, and with a Bo5 final as well?

no, final should be also three

 

[fafa]

Understood, and with a Bo5 final as well?

That would be nice. It gives the tournament more prestige than making it a 2 week event imo.

 

[langley]

Shoutout to the 1985 Davis Cup tie between France and Paraguay

https://twitter.com/x/status/1269615341262389252

we have the tech today to make it more uniform to other surfaces. bring it back !

 

[RSJfan]

…
"Why are there always four and always the same four? ... It's absolutely unfair and doesn't help tennis grow."…

I don’t know who this whiny guy is but your fav Carrot isn’t very good without his Clostebol.

 

[Mainad]

Signor Binaghi will have to join the queue behind a certain Mr. Ellison.

 

[messiahrobins]

Indian Wells and Rome for me are de fact slams, ive felt that for years.