TENNIS could introduce a so-called “fifth Grand Slam”, according to shock reports.
It is claimed the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) have launched a staggering £436million bid to try and buy out a rival tournament from Madrid.
Italy host one of the nine Masters 1000 events in Rome each May – the highest level below the four Grand Slams.
Spain have the Mutua Madrid Masters directly before the Italian Open with the final in 2025 on May 4, two weeks before the Rome final on May 18.
But the FITP apparently dream of acquiring the week in the tennis calendar currently occupied by Madrid to expand the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to a two-week tournament plus qualifying and prep days.
While many of the Masters events have been extended from a week to ten-day tournaments, only the four Grand Slams – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open – are full fortnights.
But La Stampa via Ubitennis in Italy report the FITP formally offered nearly half £1billion to IMG, who own and run the controversial Madrid Masters.
A review last year confirmed IMG may look to sell one of its events, with the management company also having the Miami Open.
It is said to be a “dream” for the Italian tennis authorities to make their flagship clay-court event into a “fifth major”.
However, the FITP’s ambitious plan is understood to be highly unlikely and looks set to fall flat – especially as the clay-court Major, the French Open, starts later in May.
Tennis in Italy is enjoying a boom with the success of world No1 Jannik Sinner – despite his three-month doping ban – plus ten more men inside the top 100 and Jasmine Paolini flying the flag for the women.
The country won both the men’s Davis Cup and the women’s Billie Jean King Cup in 2024 and will host the Davis Cup Finals later this year.
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The ATP Finals also moved from London’s O2 Arena to Turin in 2021 and will remain in Italy until 2030.
The Italian Open also reportedly want to make significant improvements to the site in Rome with the construction of a new stadium.
A new ‘SuperTennis Arena’ could incorporate three courts – with one surrounded by 6,500 seats and space for 700 fans on the other two.
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