Internazionali BNL d’Italia: Who will be the Master of Rome?

Tennis moved this week to the historic city of Rome, where theForo Italico (formerly Foro Mussolini) plays home to the sport’s biggest names.

Foro Italico,the venue for the Rome Masters, is a multi-purpose sports complex, home to numerous sports venues, such as the largest sports facility in Rome, the Stadio Olimpico, the ornate Stadio dei Marmi and the adjoining building which is the seat of the Italian National Olympic Committee (originally built for the purposes of the Fascist Male Academy of Physical Education).

This venue has a tinge of history attached to it as it was built between 1928 and 1938 as the Foro Mussolini (literally Mussolini’s Forum) under the design of Enrico Del Debbio, and later, Luigi Moretti. The design is inspired by the Roman forums of the imperial age and often lauded as a preeminent example of Italian Fascist architecture instituted by Mussolini.

The tennis players would no doubt feel like gladiators fighting it out in the Colosseum, the ancient  Roman amphitheater in central Rome, 8 kilometers south from here. In their case, the pressure comes as much from within as from the outside, as they fight to smoothen the rough edges in their clay court game. This being the last big event before the French Open at Roland Garros that begins next Sunday, they are eager to get their preparation in shape, and be in prime form before heading to Paris.