Rome is witnessing something special as one of the season’s most prestigious tournaments plays out in the Eternal City.
Even amid the historic buzz of a papal conclave at the Vatican, the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Jannik Sinner has arguably been the hottest ticket in town.
In front of a packed house at every practice, and for every match, world No.1 Sinner’s return is not just living up to the hype – it’s exceeding it.
Dropping just five service games, and not a single set, Sinner has cruised through his first four matches to reach the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in front of his home fans.
His latest victim? Casper Ruud.
It was a ruthless 6-0 6-1 dismantling of the Madrid champion, who told the ATP that Sinner’s quarterfinal performance was “as near as perfect” that he has seen.
Sinner is not the only Italian sending shockwaves through Rome.
Lorenzo Musetti is forging his own path and electrified the home crowd as he toppled No.2 seed Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinal.
For the first time in the tournament’s history there are two Italian men in the semifinals in the same year, and the prospect of an all-Italian final now looms large.
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Musetti is enjoying the best period of his career, reaching the final four in Monte Carlo, Madrid and now Rome. Heading into Roland Garros next week, he is projected to clinch an all-important top-eight Grand Slam seeding for the first time.
The Italian No.2 is becoming one of the world’s brightest stars, as noted by former ATP professional Luke Saville.
“I think he’s one of those players who can definitely push for that top four, top five, because he can play on all surfaces,” Saville said on this week’s episode of The Tennis.
“Definitely clay is his preferred surface, but he can play on all four surfaces and he’s just coming into his own at 23 years of age. Amazing player and very versatile.”
It’s a sign of the times for Italian tennis – the nation holds both the Davis and Billie Jean King Cups – given this year’s Rome revolution also extends to the women’s game.
Jasmine Paolini, last year’s Roland Garros finalist, is recapturing her form from last clay season, winning through to the finale in Rome where she will face Coco Gauff.
If she is to lift her second WTA 1000 trophy, she will secure the No.4 seed at Roland Garros.
Saville also sang the praises of Italy’s No.1 woman, a player who cannot be discounted at the clay-court Grand Slam..
“For Paolini as well, she’s a little older, it’s really just the last couple years where she’s really broken through,” Saville explained. “A great story of resilience.”
As the 2025 clay season reaches its climax, one thing is clear: Italy is holding centre stage.
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