/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/05/21/3709888-75487688-2560-1440.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1080&ssl=1 "Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?")
The clay swing heads to Rome in May for the Italian Open as preparations continue for the French Open.
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 is expected to be 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 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?
Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have injury concerns ahead of the Italian Open.
Alcaraz has been battling a forearm injury 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.
After a stunning start to the year the Italian could have a chance to get to world No. 1 in Rome if he is healthy to play.
Who else is playing the Italian Open?
Defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be back in Rome along with Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.
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.
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.
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.
