Italian Open: Are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu playing? When does it start?
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/05/2024 at 13:10 GMT
Are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu playing the 2024 Italian Open? When does it start? What's the schedule? The combined ATP and WTA 1000 event is the last big tournament before the French Open. Daniil Medvedev won the men's title in Rome last year while Elena Rybakina was the women's champion.
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The clay swing heads to Rome in May for the Italian Open as preparations continue for the French Open - with several big-names absent due to injury.
The combined ATP and WTA 1000 event is the last big tournament before players make their way to Roland-Garros, which starts on Sunday, May 26, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Last year saw Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina claim the singles titles, but will they repeat their respective triumphs this season?
The Italian Open will see almost all the top stars from both tours in action, and we run through all you need to know, including when it starts, what’s the schedule, when is the draw, and who’s playing…
When is the Italian Open?
Qualifying for the Italian Open starts on Monday, May 6 ahead of the main draw on Wednesday, May 8.
The finals will be held on the weekend of May 18.
As with the Madrid Open, the 32 seeds get a first-round bye so they enter the tournament in the second round.
Play will start at 10am UK time every day until Thursday, May 16 when it begins at midday. There will be evening sessions starting at 6pm each day until finals weekend, when play starts at midday on both days.
When is the Italian Open draw?
The draw was held on Monday, May 6.
Are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal playing the Italian Open?
Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal look set to play in Rome.
It will be the first clay tournament that the two tennis greats have contested since the 2022 French Open, when Nadal beat Djokovic on his way to a 14th title.
Djokovic missed the Madrid Open and has only played one clay tournament in Monte Carlo, where he made the semis.
He has spoken about wanting to peak for the French Open, Wimbledon and Paris Olympics, where the tennis event will be held at Roland-Garros.
Nadal started his clay comeback in Barcelona, where he lost in the second round, and then played in Madrid, where he made the last 16 and left with "positive energy".
He is a 10-time winner of the Italian Open and looks set to play the tournament for the final time ahead of his potential retirement this year.
Will Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play the Italian Open?
Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Italian Open due to injury.
Alcaraz has been battling a forearm issue that forced him to miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He made the quarter-finals in Madrid but admitted to having "difficult feelings" towards the end of his loss against Andrey Rublev.
He announced his withdrawl from Rome on X, saying: "I felt some pain after playing in Madrid, some discomfort in my arm. Today I did some tests and I have a muscle edema in my pronator teres, a consequence of my recent injury. Unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome. I need to rest so I can recover and play 100% pain free. I am very sorry, I will see you next year."
Jannik Sinner is also out due to injury.
The world No. 2 suffered a hip problem at the Madrid Open and has even suggested he might miss the French Open due to the issue.
Who else is playing the Italian Open?
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev is another injury doubt for Rome after retiring from his Madrid quarter-final against Jiri Lehecka, but looks set to play.
Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud will be among those looking to take advantage of the absence of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Andy Murray will not be playing as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will lead the women’s draw.
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Elena Rybakina celebrates winning the Italian Open in 2023
Image credit: Getty Images
Neither won the title last year as Swiatek retired with injury in the quarter-finals and Sabalenka was shocked in the second round by Sofia Kenin.
Elena Rybakina was the champion in 2023 and she will be aiming to continue her strong start to the season with another title run.
World No. 3 Coco Gauff could close the gap on world No. 1 Swiatek if she can go far in Rome.
Emma Raducanu’s participation is uncertain. She has not been announced as a wildcard entry but could enter qualifying with her protected ranking.
However, after admitting to being “exhausted” following her Madrid Open first-round exit, she might switch focus elsewhere.
Raducanu is entered into qualifying for the French Open.
When is the French Open?
The 2024 French Open main draw starts on Sunday, May 26, with the tournament one of two Grand Slams, along with the Australian Open, that is run over 15 days instead of 14 this year.
The singles finals will be held on the weekend of June 8.
Play starts at 10am UK time every day except for finals weekend, and there will be an evening session scheduled from 7.15pm UK time every day until the semi-finals start on Thursday, June 6.
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