Date: May 7–18, 2025
Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
Surface: Clay (Outdoor)
Category: WTA 1000
Prize Money: €8,055,385
Tournament Overview
The Internazionali BNL d’Italia, commonly known as the Rome Masters, is the final WTA 1000 clay-court event before Roland Garros. The tournament is renowned for its slow, gritty conditions, favoring players with strong baseline endurance and tactical shot-making.
This year’s edition features top-ranked players, including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and defending champion Elena Rybakina. Swiatek has dominated this event, winning three of the last four titles, but she enters Rome searching for her first title of the season.
Key Players to Watch
Iga Swiatek (World No. 1, Poland)
- Has won three of the last four Rome titles.
- Struggled in Madrid but remains the favorite due to her dominance on slow clay courts.
- Her heavy topspin forehand and baseline consistency make her nearly unbeatable in these conditions.
Aryna Sabalenka (World No. 2, Belarus)
- Won the Madrid Open last week, showcasing her aggressive power game.
- Leads the WTA in break percentage (44.3%), proving her dominance in return games.
- Has yet to win Rome but is playing at an elite level.
Elena Rybakina (Defending Champion, Kazakhstan)
- Won the 2023 Rome title, defeating Swiatek in the final.
- Her flat, powerful groundstrokes can disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm.
Coco Gauff (World No. 3, USA)
- Has improved her clay-court movement and serve consistency.
- Reached the French Open final in 2022, proving she can thrive on slow surfaces.
Tournament Conditions & Playing Style
- Rome’s clay courts are slower than Madrid, meaning long rallies and endurance will be crucial.
- Surface Speed: 0.67 (33% lower ace rate than tour average).
- Players with strong rally tolerance and strategic shot placement will thrive.
Early Round Matchups to Watch
- Jasmine Paolini vs. Qinwen Zheng – Paolini will be eager to perform well at her home event.
- Mirra Andreeva vs. Jessica Pegula – Andreeva is a rising star, while Pegula’s experience could be key.
Tournament Predictions
- Swiatek (+225) is the betting favorite, but her recent form raises questions.
- Sabalenka (+275) is a strong contender, given her Madrid success.
- Expect long, grinding matches, with players needing mental and physical endurance to succeed.
How to Watch
- Live Coverage: Tennis Channel, FuboTV.
- Streaming: Tennis TV, ESPN.
