With the 2025 Madrid Open temporarily in darkness because of the European power outage, this unusual break in tennis action allows us to look ahead to next week's Italian Open, also known as the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
Rome's outdoor clay courts will host the world's top tennis players in the combined ATP/WTA 1000 event, starting May 6 and running through May 19.
Alexander Zverev and Iga Swiatek are the defending singles champions. The defending champion Italian women's duo of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani will have the fans clamoring for back-to-back titles. However, two significant and unique events will happen during the Italian Open, one tennis-related and one world-related.
Jannik Sinner returns to professional tennis at the Italian Open
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner's three-month absence has felt long for many. He has been mainly out of the public eye except for practicing with Matteo Berrettini and Jack Draper. Sinner also started a foundation while serving his three-month suspension for doping.
Launching the Jannik Sinner Foundationhttps://t.co/s1nozJsWtg pic.twitter.com/pUVakDnEXC
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) April 28, 2025
Sinner is beloved in Italy, so his return to tennis at home will soften the blow; fans will cheer and be happy to see him. That may not be true after this tournament. He has become a divisive personality because of what happened with his failed drug tests and the adjudication of them.
The papal conclave begins on May 7 in Rome
Rome is the home of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The papal conclave, the group of Church leaders who gather in secluded quarters to elect a new Pope, will begin on May 7.
The conclave to elect a new Pope will begin on May 7 according to the Holy See Press Office.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 28, 2025
The Cardinals present in Rome made the decision on Monday at their fifth General Congregation.
The conclave will take place in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, which remain closed to… pic.twitter.com/3eYiPof4uu
Between a late Easter, the Pope's death, and the conclave, there are more people in Rome than traditionally during the Italian Open. Tennis will be the backdrop for this process that captures the world's attention, regardless of religious affiliation.