Jannik Sinner or Matteo Berrettini on the court in Piazza del Popolo

In the morning è a clay court, set up in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo, was inaugurated, which will be the scene of the Internazionali d'Italia pre-qualifying matches. But there's more: the court will also host other events, including an exhibition that will feature one of Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini.

Confirming this è was Alessandro Onorato, councillor for Sport, Tourism, Fashion and Major Events of Roma Capitale: "No one believed that we could achieve this project, but we did. I am proud that this year there is a tennis court in Piazza del Popolo, where from today the pre-qualifications will begin with two matches a day, one for women and one for men. Then there will be activities with hundreds of girls and boys and the highly anticipated exhibition with Sinner or Berrettini".

"Bringing a piece of the Internationals to the heart of the cityà and tennis within reach of all Romans, è a feat we have been attempting for years – added Angelo Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation -, although aware of the difficulties that would have entailed just imagining setting up a clay court in a place like this. That is why I want to thank all those who participated with FITP and Sport e Salute in this undertaking: the Superintendence and the Municipality of Rome".

"We are proud to make available to the citizenship a regulation court where we will bring some big names committed to the Forum and where we will hold matches of the pre-qualification and an International Under 16 Tournament. Tennis in the heart of Rome è another snapshot of the moment of great popularity" that we are experiencing" concluded Binaghi.