THE Italian Open has unveiled its new triple stadium as they aim to become the fifth Grand Slam.
The Rome Masters, which gets underway on May 6, is one of nine Masters 1000 events – the highest level below the four Grand Slams.
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Its iconic clay courts make it a key date on the tennis calendar and an appealing destination for tennis fans.
Now there is even more reason for spectators to trek to the Foro Italico tennis centre, as it has three brand new courts.
Two new stadiums have been built next to the Stadio Olimpico – home to Serie A side Roma – on top of an athletics track and field arena.
The track remains in place, as do the amphitheatre-style steps surrounding it, meaning the venue works as a triple stadium.
That means the Italian Open site has grown from 12 to 20 hectares, and now boasts nine match courts and 12 training courts.
The new centre court is called the SuperTennis Arena, and has a 3,000 capacity.
The renovation could aid the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) in their bid to host a fifth Grand Slam.
The FITP have launched a staggering £436million ($55m) bid to try and buy out a rival tournament from Madrid.
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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.
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