Italian Open Eyes Grand Slam Status: Organizers Push for Prestigious Upgrade
Looks like big changes might be coming to the tennis world — and they’re coming out of Rome. Organizers of the Italian Open have officially said they’re going after Grand Slam status, which would be a massive shake-up for the sport. If they pull it off, the Rome-based event — officially known as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia — would be the first new Grand Slam in more than 100 years, putting it on the same level as the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
The push is being led by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), and the plan is to stretch the tournament out to two weeks, with more players, more matches, and a bigger push for fan and media attention. It’s not a small idea — and people in the tennis world are already talking. Some are calling it ambitious, others bold, but either way, it’s got the sport buzzing.
Ambitions Rooted in National Momentum
Leading the charge is Angelo Binaghi, the president of the FITP, who’s been pushing for years to raise Italy’s profile in the tennis world. Under his watch, the country has made some serious moves — landing the ATP Finals in Turin, hosting the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna, and packing the stands at the 2025 Italian Open like never before.
Speaking on the final day of this year’s tournament, Binaghi made his stance clear:
In what other part of society is there a monopoly that lasts for more than 100 years? Why are there always four and always the same four? … It’s absolutely unfair and doesn’t help tennis grow.
For Binaghi, it’s not just about ambition — it’s about timing. He says the game has evolved, and Italy’s earned the right to play a bigger role in it. “We’re now the world champion both on the court and at the organizational level,” he said, pointing to the country’s growing influence not just in competition, but in how the sport is run behind the scenes.
A Strategic Bid Backed by Billions
At the heart of the push is a hefty £436 million bid from the FITP, aimed at grabbing the spring calendar slot that’s currently held by the Madrid Open. Landing that window would give Rome more breathing room – letting the tournament stretch its schedule without clashing with other big events on the tour.
But this isn’t just about adjusting the schedule — there’s real investment going into the event. A new SuperTennis Arena is in the works, and a €60 million retractable roof is planned for Campo Centrale, Rome’s main court. These upgrades aren’t just for show; they’re designed to meet the standards of the biggest tournaments in the world. It’s clear Italy wants to do more than just host — it wants to lead. As the tournament’s profile rises, it’s also drawing more attention from international betting sites, which are expanding their coverage of major global tennis events like this one.
Player Skepticism and Scheduling Concerns
Even with all the big plans, not everyone’s on board. Some players have raised concerns – especially around how realistic it is to squeeze a fifth Grand Slam into an already packed tennis calendar.
Alexander Zverev, who’s won the Italian Open twice, said the idea sounds good in theory but might be harder to sell in practice.
Is it possible to make one? Yeah, for sure. … Is it going to be seen as a Grand Slam by everyone — by the media, by the players? I don’t know.
Others have pointed to the scheduling problem. The Italian Open usually runs just a few weeks before Roland Garros, which is also a clay-court major. Stretching Rome into a full two-week event could crowd the lead-up to Paris, leaving players less time to recover and prepare, and that’s got some worried about burnout.
Governance and Global Acceptance
One of the biggest challenges might be the way the sport is run. The four current Grand Slams all operate independently, and changing that lineup isn’t something that happens with a single decision. It would take buy-in from several major tennis organizations – the ATP, WTA, and ITF, and that’s no small ask. There’s a lot of tradition wrapped up in the current setup, and plenty of people who’d rather not mess with it.
Then there’s the bigger question: will the rest of the world actually see it as a real Slam? Even if the FITP pulls off the expansion and upgrades the facilities, that doesn’t mean players, fans, or the media will automatically treat Rome like it belongs in the same league as the Big Four. At the end of the day, perception is everything and earning that kind of recognition takes more than just money or ambition.
Italy’s Growing Footprint in Tennis
The timing of all this isn’t a coincidence. Italian tennis has been on the rise lately, with new talent making waves on both the men’s and women’s tours, plus a string of well-run international events. All that has helped put Italy right in the spotlight as a key player in tennis’s future.
Binaghi and the FITP see this momentum as a chance to shake things up at the top of the sport. Italy’s influence has been growing—not just through its players, but also by hosting major international events. That rise is turning heads in sponsorship, media, and especially the betting world. With more fans following the action, many are now looking to regularly updated sports betting sites reviews to track the latest odds, explore trusted platforms, and find reliable markets as Rome pushes closer to Grand Slam status.
