AGI – The magic of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia arrives in Piazza del Popolo. This morning the red clay court set up in the center of Rome was inaugurated where, until May 4th, prequalifications will be held with two races per day, one for men and one for women. Entrance is free. In a unique setting, another highly anticipated event is the Under 16 International Tournament, which will showcase many talents of the future: the final is scheduled on the ‘Nicola Pietrangelo’ pitch at the Foro Italico. However, the real protagonists in Piazza del Popolo will be hundreds of girls and boys thanks to the numerous activities promoted by the ‘Roberto Lombardì Higher Education Institute and coordinated by Michelangelo Dell’Edera. Until May 19th, all the tennis schools in Lazio have been called and a series of youth gatherings are planned, starting from the Under 10s.
Thanks to the support and passion of the federal coaches, anyone who arrives at the court can dribble with the teachers for a limited time: a further way to discover tennis and inspire many young people. There will be the icing on the cake of the project created by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation and Roma Capitale, on the initiative of the Sports Councilor Alessandro Onorato, with the collaboration of Sport and Health: the performance of Sinner or Berrettini and, based on availability , of other players present in the main draw of the Italian Internationals.
“Bringing a piece of the Internationals to the heart of the city and tennis within the reach of all Romans is an undertaking that we have attempted for years – said Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation – despite being aware of the difficulties it would entail just imagine setting up a red clay court in a place like this. Which is why I want to thank all those who participated with Fitp and Sport and Health in this undertaking: the Superintendence and the Municipality of Rome. We are proud to make available of the citizens, a regulation field where we will bring some big names involved in the Forum and where pre-qualification matches and an International Under 16 Tournament will take place. Tennis in the heart of Rome is another snapshot of the moment of great popularity that we are experiencing”.
“No one believed that we would be able to carry out this project, but we did – explained Alessandro Onorato, councilor for Sport, Tourism, Fashion and Major Events of Rome Capital – I am proud that this year there is a tennis court in Piazza del Popolo , where from today the prequalifications will begin with two matches a day, one for women and one for men. Then there will be activities with hundreds of girls and boys and the highly anticipated performance with Sinner or Berrettini. It will all be free: we want to bring sport closer to people regardless of socio-economic conditions. Many Romans have understood the importance of this initiative and will also appreciate the efforts made to enhance the image of Rome abroad of Italy will do so. On May 6th at the Trevi Fountain there will be the draws for the scoreboards, then there will be the White Night of tennis, the contest among the shop windows of the historic center on the best themed display and there will be widespread communication for the streets”.
