Rome Masters 2023: Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek aim to defend tennis titles - Preview, schedule & how to watch
The sport's best will put the final touches on their Roland-Garros preparation at the Foro Italico for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, 8-21 May. See the full schedule and find out how to watch.
Tennis
The second Grand Slam of the tennis season is set to get underway later this month.
While Roland-Garros and the Parisian red clay await starting 28 May, the stars of the sport first head to the Italian capital for their final fine-tuning at the Rome Masters - the Internazionali BNL d'Italia - 8-21 May.
It's the last ATP & WTA 1000 stop before the French Open, and tennis views it as its best preview for what's to come in Paris with similar conditions facing the players at the two stops.
World No. 1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are the respective defending champions, but questions loom around the Serbian's participation after he withdrew from Madrid last week.
10-time Rome winner Rafael Nadal, who has been sidelined with a leg injury since January, had to pull out, and the Spanish legend expressed his disappoointment on social media.
"You all know how much it hurts me to miss another of the tournaments that has been so important to me, both professionally and personally, because of all the affection and support of the Italian fans."
"Despite having noticed an improvement in the last few days, it has been many months since I've been able to train at a high level and the adaptation process takes time. All that is left for me to do is accept it and keep working," wrote the reigning and 13-time RG champ.
Madrid Open winner Carlos Alcaraz is set to re-claim the No.1 ranking from Djokovic by simply playing his opening match in Rome. That and many more storylines await in Rome, where - for the first year - the singles draws have expanded to 96 players, the largest outside of the majors.
See the full schedule of the tennis, find out how you can tune in and read up on the storylines to keep your eye on below.
Rome Masters tennis: 3 things to watch for
Home hopes Sinner, Berrettini eye momentum
The home energy will be behind Italians Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini, who are both looking for signature runs in front of the energetic Roman crowd. Sinner withdrew from Madrid due to illness, but has continued his slow, steady climb up to world No. 8 and would like to win a first Masters 1000 title having been runner-up twice (Miami 2021 & 2023).
Berrettini, meanwhile, has faced hurdle after hurdle as he deals with a recurring abdominal injury. The former world No. 6 is now ranked 21st and is just 7-6 in 2023.
Can Coco Gauff get back on track?
Coco Gauff, the American 19-year-old, is one of the most exciting young stars in the game, and will defend ranking points in Paris from a run to the championship match in 2022 (where she lost to Swiatek).
Yet Gauff has struggled to find her top form this year, having last won consecutive matches in March. She is always a threat, however, and continues to be a force in doubles with fellow American top 10 star Jessica Pegula, who will also be among the favourites in Rome, too.
One last Paris prep week
While smaller tour events are held in the week leading up to Roland-Garros, Rome offers the final trial for many players to build their confidence up prior to Paris.
In 2022, Stefanos Tsitsipas made the final vs. Djokovic to raise his RG stock, while Daria Kasatkina made the semi-finals, giving her the gusto to make her first-ever major final four a few weeks later.
2022 Roland-Garros men’s runner up Casper Ruud is among those who are seeking momentum, as are rising stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Holger Rune.
Could Maria Sakkari finally contend for a major? Tsitsipas’ Greek countrywoman had match point to reach the final in 2021.
Rome Masters 2023: Schedule of ATP & WTA matches
The main draw of the Rome Masters begins on Tuesday, 9 May, with the event moving to a two-week format for the first time. See the full tournament schedule here.
All times listed are local in Rome (Central European Summer Time / GMT +2).
Monday, 8 May
1000am local - ATP & WTA qualifying
Tuesday, 9 May
1100 - WTA first round; ATP qualifying
Wednesday, 10 May-Monday, 15 May
1100 & 1900 sessions - ATP & WTA early rounds
Tuesday, 16 May
1100 - ATP fourth round; WTA quarter-finals
1900 - ATP fourth round; WTA quarter-finals
Wednesday, 17 May
1300 - ATP & WTA quarter-finals
1900 - ATP & WTA quarter-finals
Thursday, 18 May
1300 - ATP quarter-finals
1900 - ATP quarter-finals
Friday, 19 May
1300 - WTA semi-final
1900 - WTA semi-final
Saturday, 20 May
1300 - ATP semi-finals
1900 - WTA singles final; WTA doubles final
Sunday, 21 May
1300 - ATP doubles final; ATP singles final
Rome Masters 2023: How to watch
Rome can be watched on ATP and WTA partner broadcasters as the event is held as part of the respective tours.
American fans can watch the action in its entirety on Tennis Channel.
Other notable territories include:
• Australia - beIN
• Great Britian - Amazon Prime Video
• Germany - Sky Deutschland (men); Tennis Channel (women)
• Spain - Telefonica/Movistar & TVE (men); DAZN, TVE & TV3 (women)
• France - Canal +, Eurosport (men); beIN
• Japan - WOWOW, NHK, Gaora (men); DAZN (women)
• Poland - Canal + (women only)
A full list of ATP broadcasters can be found here, while the WTA broadcast list is here.