Rome Open Organisers plan to build retractable roof amid weather nightmare during 2023 edition

Monday, 22 May 2023 at 05:00

The organizers of the Rome Open have announced plans to build a retractable roof and provide support for those affected by floods.

The 2023 edition of the Rome Open was different due to the constant rains that forced the suspension of matches throughout the week, including the semifinals between Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko.

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The difficulties not only led to match suspensions during the week but also resulted in schedule delays, with some matches extending past midnight, including the final between Rybakina and Anhelina Kalinina. In response, the organization has announced their plans to construct a roof, as stated by Vito Cozzoli, the executive director of Sport e Salute.

“The roof is coming,” claimed Cozzoli.

“The feasibility plan has been approved and it will be a futuristic project that will make the Foro Italico’s center court usable year round.”

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The tournament's development was not the only complication in Rome, as heavy rains caused unprecedented flooding in some towns. As a result, the organizers have announced assistance programs for those affected by the floods.

“We will refund all tickets purchased between Thursday and Sunday to all residents on the list of Municipalities affected by the flood that the Government will draw up,” said Angelo Binaghi, the FITP president.

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“We were amazed by what happened here in Rome, in our memory something like this had never happened. But it is only a very small part of the disaster that hit the towns of Emilia-Romagna,” he added.

“As a federation, we want to issue contributions by helping our sports clubs whose facilities were damaged by the disaster. We have commissioned the Emilia-Romagna committee to carry out a census to calculate the extent of the damage.”

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Hugo Nys (R) and Jan Zielinski (L) pose with their trophies after winning the Men's Doubles Final match as the rain interrupts the trophy ceremony at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, 21 May 2023. 📷 EPA / ansa / Ettore Ferrari #epaimages #ansa #tennis

1:54 PM · May 21, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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