The 2025 edition of Internazionali BNL d'Italia, ongoing until May 18th at Rome, promises to be historic thanks to the Return of Jannik Sinner, number one in the world, and with a record participation of as many as 12 Italian tennis players. The capital is preparing to beat the record attendance e tickets sold, exceeding the economic impact of 615 million euros recorded in 2024. Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, predicts a further increase in the influx of spectators, with approximately 400 thousand paying spectators and a growth in the economic impact which, within a two or three years, it will even touch the billion euros.
A new dimension for the Foro Italico
The 2025 edition brings with it an important reform that has expanded the tournament: with the doubling of the spaces at the Foro Italico, from 10 to 20 hectares, the tournament extends over a significantly larger surface area, increasing the capacity from 33 to 55 people. This expansion included 34.500 seats, with 7.500 more seats than in 2024, and an enhancement of the food and beverage area. Marco Mezzaroma, president of Sport and Health, emphasized that the expansion also led to the construction of three new fields in the Stadio dei Marmi, including a 3.000-seat central court and two secondary courts with 800 seats each. In addition, under the Bridge of Music, two new training fields have been set up, complete with stands, to make the tournament even more visible and engaging, extending the event towards the Tiber River and other areas of the city.
Tennis on TV: an ever-increasing visibility
On the television front, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia will be transmitted entirely from Skywhile on the Rai one free-to-air match per day will be broadcast during the men's tournament, including the final, and one final of the women's tournament or one of the doubles finals (men's or women's). In addition, tennis is trying to make its way on TV, with a battle already started by Binaghi to increase the visibility of the tournaments in free-to-air.
Starting from 2025, the Davis Cup , Billie Jean King Cup will be transmitted exclusive clear on Great tennis for the next four years. Negotiations are also underway with Rai for the sub-licensing of free-to-air rights, with Binaghi explicitly asking for the matches to be broadcast on Rai 1, considering that viewers with Sinner on the pitch now exceed those of many football events.
As for the other ATP tournaments, Sky will broadcast the events in full, while Eurosport will retain exclusivity for the Roland Garros and Australian Open.
Rome Internationals 2025: Sinner returns as number 1, Djokovic out and Berrettini in doubt
With the end of his three-month suspension, Sinner is ready to return to the field, but not without a certain amount of caution: "The first games of the first match will not be easy. I hope to quickly find my match rhythm again". Despite the long break, the world number one has been training hard with his coaches, Vagnozzi and Cahill, and his friend Jack Draper, who defended Sinner from the criticism received during his suspension: "Jannik is a good person who does not deserve the hate he has received". In addition to working on his game, Sinner has also perfected his Foundation, committing to do something meaningful for young athletes. “Sports has taught me priceless lessons: discipline, resilience, and the courage to stay true to myself. All lessons that I believe are worth sharing.”
However, there won't be Novak Djokovic, which gave lump sum at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2025. The Serbian, who has won six times in Rome, announced on Instagram: “I will miss you in Rome, I hope to come back next year”. It is the first time since 2007 that Djokovic has skipped the tournament, choosing to focus on a reset to arrive at his best at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where he hopes to return to fighting for titles.
The Matteo Berrettini is in doubt for the Rome International: the Italian tennis player, fresh from withdrawing from the Madrid Masters due to a physical problem, is evaluating his presence at the Foro Italico.
