The Foro Italico in Rome hosts the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2026, serving as the ultimate clay court warm-up before Roland Garros. The world’s elite compete for 1,000 ATP points and a multi-million euro prize pool. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined due to injury, making Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev the clear frontrunners at the Italian Open. Here is a comprehensive overview of the tournament.
**Rome Open 2026: Key Facts at a Glance**
This traditional ATP Masters 1000 event is played on the Foro Italico’s clay courts. For many players, it represents the final tune-up before the year’s second Grand Slam in Paris.
* **Dates:** May 6 to May 17, 2026
* **Surface:** Outdoor clay
* **ATP Points:** 1,000 for the champion
* **Previous Champion:** Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
**Tournament Entry and Draw**
The field in Rome consistently boasts top-tier talent, drawing the world’s best tennis players. Although Alcaraz won’t defend his title, the rest of the lineup promises thrilling clay court battles.
**Favorites**
Topping the list is home favorite and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. After recent triumphs in Madrid, Montecarlo, Miami, Indian Wells, and Paris, he aims for a sixth consecutive Masters title and enters as the overwhelming favorite. Alexander Zverev and a returning Novak Djokovic are also among the main contenders. Keep an eye on young talents Rafael Jodar and Alexander Blockx, who impressed in Madrid before falling to Sinner and Zverev respectively.
**Italian Contingent**
Italian tennis is enjoying a golden era. Besides Sinner, fans closely follow rising star Flavio Cobolli and Lorenzo Musetti, both seeded in the top ten. Matteo Berrettini and Fabio Fognini add depth. All wildcards have been awarded to Italians: Berrettini, Matteo Arnaldi, Francesco Maestrelli, Luca Nardi, and Federico Cina will join the main draw.
**German and Austrian Representation**
Germany is led by Zverev, champion in 2024. Jan-Lennard Struff, Daniel Altmaier, and Yannick Hanfmann are directly in the main draw. If Altmaier gets past Zhizhen Zhang in the first round, an all-German second-round clash against Zverev could materialize. From Austria, Sebastian Ofner could face Sinner if he defeats Alex Michelsen in the opening round.
**Special Entries**
Stan Wawrinka, the 2008 finalist who first broke into the top ten that year, did not receive a wildcard in Rome. However, the Swiss player is competing in the qualifying final and could still earn a spot.
**2026 Rome Open Schedule**
The tournament spans two weeks, with top singles players starting their campaigns over the opening weekend.
* **First Round:** Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7, from 11:00
* **Second Round:** Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, from 11:00 (night session from 19:00)
* **Third Round:** Sunday, May 10 and Monday, May 11, from 11:00 (night session from 19:00)
* **Round of 16:** Tuesday, May 12, from 11:00 (night session from 19:00)
* **Quarterfinals:** Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14, from 13:00 (night session from 19:00)
* **Semifinals:** Friday, May 15, from 13:30 (night session from 19:30)
* **Final:** Sunday, May 17, from 17:00
**Prize Money and ATP Points**
Total prize money for the 2026 Rome ATP tournament is approximately €8.2 million. The singles champion earns around €1,007,165, while the runner-up receives approximately €535,585.