ROME — The organizers of the Italian Open are backing tennis players who are calling for a boycott unless Grand Slam tournaments enhance their prize offerings.
Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, is leveraging this movement as part of a larger initiative aimed at elevating their event to the status of a fifth Grand Slam.
The players have set their sights on the upcoming French Open, highlighting concerns over a reported 14.3% revenue share for competitors—significantly lower than the 22% offered at ATP and WTA tournaments like the Italian Open.
Top stars such as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have voiced strong support for a boycott of the Slams if their compensation does not improve.
“Our players have our unwavering support,” Binaghi declared. “It’s outrageous that we are required by the ATP to distribute a larger portion of revenues to the players, while the four Grand Slams retain a smaller slice.”
“This disparity is shameful and fosters competitive imbalances since the nations hosting the Slams have significantly more resources to invest in their athletic programs compared to others,” Binaghi continued. “I am determined to dismantle this monopoly.”
It’s important to note that the Italian Open has a history of offering lower prize money for women than for men. This year, the men’s total prize pool in Rome stands at $9.6 million, while the women’s is at $8.3 million.
However, next week the women’s champion in Rome will take home 1.055 million euros—slightly surpassing the 1.007 million euros awarded to the men’s winner.
For over a year, Binaghi has been advocating for the Italian Open to be recognized as a fifth Grand Slam, positioning it alongside the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open—challenging a century of tennis tradition.
With Jannik Sinner establishing his dominance at No. 1 and three other Italians ranked in the men’s top 20—No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 12 Flavio Cobolli, and No. 20 Luciano Darderi—the landscape of Italian tennis is thriving.
Italy has clinched the Davis Cup for three consecutive years and the Billie Jean King Cup for women’s teams for the past two years.
Binaghi, who revitalized the federation a quarter-century ago when it faced bankruptcy, aims to capitalize on this flourishing tennis era in pursuit of his Grand Slam vision.
“We are witnessing a remarkable era in Italian tennis that will be hard to replicate, especially when juxtaposed with the dismal state of Italian soccer,” Binaghi remarked, referencing Italy’s failure to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup.
Foro Italico is running out of space
Beyond tradition and scheduling conflicts, Binaghi faces another substantial challenge in elevating the Italian Open: limited space for expansion at the Foro Italico.
“We are open to organizing a (fifth Grand Slam) anywhere across Italy—on any surface,” Binaghi stated.
Construction on a retractable roof for Campo Centrale is set to commence immediately after this year’s Italian Open, aimed for completion by the 2028 tournament.
The revised stadium will see its capacity rise from 10,500 to 12,400.
This year, the Italian Open hopes to exceed 400,000 ticket sales, while last year’s French Open boasted an attendance of nearly 700,000.
“If we aim for greatness, we shouldn’t limit ourselves solely to the Foro Italico, as there are numerous logistical challenges regarding transport and temporary venues,” Binaghi commented.
Would Binaghi consider relocating the tournament from the iconic Foro with its stately courts?
“In today’s world, aesthetics are just an added bonus; they aren’t critical,” he said. “People no longer come to admire the sculptures; they come to watch Sinner, Musetti, Paolini, and other Italian stars.”
This year, the Italian Open aimed to introduce a mixed doubles tournament during the weekend prior to the start of singles, but ATP and WTA regulations prohibited this due to the Madrid Open occurring around the same time.
Sinner tipped as favorite to break the drought
While Jasmine Paolini secured Italy victories in both women’s singles and doubles (with partner Sara Errani) last year, Sinner is heavily favored this time to become the first Italian man to triumph at the Foro since Adriano Panatta’s win 50 years ago.
Apart from the Olympics, the Italian Open and French Open represent the only major titles in tennis that Sinner has yet to secure, and his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz, is sidelined from both tournaments due to a right wrist injury.
If Sinner captures the titles in Rome and Paris, Binaghi quipped, “maybe I’ll consider stepping down.”
“If that happens,” he mused about Sinner winning those two trophies, “we’ll reevaluate all appropriate and logical consequences.”
