Tennis in Italy

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Jannik Sinner is currently the top Italian player in the ATP rankings. Sinner RG21 (59) (51376300983).jpg
Jannik Sinner is currently the top Italian player in the ATP rankings.
Jasmine Paolini is currently the top Italian player in the WTA rankings. Transylvania Open 2022 WTA 250 (52502001597) (cropped).jpg
Jasmine Paolini is currently the top Italian player in the WTA rankings.

Tennis in Italy is governed by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation and in 2012 it was the 6th sport by number of practitioners, with 1,298,000 people. [1]

Contents

History

One Italian player, Jannik Sinner, has been men's singles world No. 1 (ATP ranking).

Five Italian players have won Grand Slam tournaments: Nicola Pietrangeli (1959 and 1960 French Championships), Adriano Panatta (1976 French Open), Francesca Schiavone (2010 French Open), Flavia Pennetta (2015 US Open) and Jannik Sinner (2024 Australian Open, 2024 US Open and 2025 Australian Open).

Four Italian players have won an olympic medal: Uberto De Morpurgo and Lorenzo Musetti won a bronze medal in the men's singles, respectively in 1924 and 2024, and the Sara Errani–Jasmine Paolini duo won a gold medal in the women's doubles, again in 2024.

The men's national team won the Davis Cup three times (1976, 2023 and 2024) and the women's national team won the Billie Jean King Cup five times (2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2024).

Women's tennis in particular has seen tremendous successes in the 21st century, with the advent of Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani, Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci. All four of these women reached the top 10 of the WTA rankings in both singles and doubles (with Schiavone and Errani reaching the top 5 in singles and Pennetta, Errani and Vinci reaching No 1 in doubles), and reached Grand Slam finals in both disciplines. Schiavone and Pennetta won singles Grand Slam titles, while Pennetta, Errani and Vinci won doubles Grand Slam titles, with Errani and Vinci achieving the Career Grand Slam in doubles as a pair. They were also responsible for Italy's 4 Fed Cup victories as members of the national Fed Cup team.

Players best singles ranking

In this table only those who have reached the top 20 in the world singles ranking.

  Active

Updated as of 13 July 2024. Data refer to the Open Era (from 1968). [2]

Men

#PlayerRankAchievedGrand Slam bestATP titles
1 Jannik Sinner 110 June 2024Win – 2024 Australian Open, 2024 US Open, 2025 Australian Open 19
2 Adriano Panatta 424 August 1976Win – 1976 French Open 10
3 Matteo Berrettini 631 January 2022F – 2021 Wimbledon 10
4 Corrado Barazzutti 721 August 1978SF – 1977 US Open, 1978 French Open 5
5 Fabio Fognini 915 July 2019QF – 2011 French Open 9
6 Paolo Bertolucci 1223 August 1973QF – 1973 French Open 6
7 Lorenzo Musetti 1526 June 2023SF – 2024 Wimbledon 2
8 Marco Cecchinato 1625 February 2019SF – 2018 French Open 3
9 Andreas Seppi 1828 January 20134R – 2012 French Open, 2013 Wimbledon,
Australian Open (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018)		3
Omar Camporese 1810 February 19924R – 1992 Australian Open 3
Andrea Gaudenzi 1827 February 19954R – 1994 French Open 2
12 Renzo Furlan 1915 April 1996QF – 1995 French Open 2

Women

#PlayerRankAchievedGrand Slam bestWTA titles
1 Francesca Schiavone 431 January 2011Win – 2010 French Open 8
Jasmine Paolini 428 October 2024F – 2024 French Open, 2024 Wimbledon 2
3 Sara Errani 520 May 2013F – 2012 French Open 9
4 Flavia Pennetta 628 September 2015Win – 2015 US Open 11
5 Roberta Vinci 79 May 2016F – 2015 US Open 10
6 Silvia Farina 1120 May 2002QF – 2003 Wimbledon 3
7 Raffaella Reggi 1325 April 1988QF – 1987 French Open 5
8 Sandra Cecchini 1514 March 1988QF – 1985 French Open 11
9 Martina Trevisan 188 May 2023SF – 2022 French Open 1
10 Tathiana Garbin 2221 May 20074R – 2007 French Open 1

Grand slam best results

Men's singles

Eleven Italian tennis players played at least the semi-final in a Grand Slam tournament. [3]

PlayerTournamentResult
Umberto De Morpurgo 1930 French Championships Semifinal
Giorgio De Stefani 1932 French Championships Final
1934 French Championships Semifinal
Giuseppe Merlo 1955 French Championships Semifinal
1956 French Championships Semifinal
Nicola Pietrangeli 1959 French Championships Win
1960 French Championships Win
1961 French Championships Final
1964 French Championships Final
1960 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
Orlando Sirola 1960 French Championships Semifinal
Adriano Panatta 1973 French Open Semifinal
1975 French Open Semifinal
1976 French Open Win
Corrado Barazzutti 1977 US Open Semifinal
1978 French Open Semifinal
Marco Cecchinato 2018 French Open Semifinal
Matteo Berrettini 2019 US Open Semifinal
2021 Wimbledon Championships Final
2022 Australian Open Semifinal
Jannik Sinner 2023 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
2024 Australian Open Win
2024 French Open Semifinal
2024 US Open Win
2025 Australian Open Win
Lorenzo Musetti 2024 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal

Men's doubles

Eight Italian tennis players played at least the semi-final in a Grand Slam tournament.

PlayerTournamentResult
Umberto De Morpurgo 1925 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
Nicola Pietrangeli 1955 French Championships Final
1956 Wimbledon Championships Final
1957 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
1958 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
1959 French Championships Win
1959 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
Orlando Sirola 1955 French Championships Final
1956 Wimbledon Championships Final
1957 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
1958 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
1959 French Championships Win
1959 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
Simone Bolelli 2011 US Open Semifinal
2013 Australian Open Semifinal
2015 Australian Open Win
2015 French Open Semifinal
2021 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
2024 Australian Open Final
2024 French Open Final
2025 Australian Open Final
Fabio Fognini 2011 US Open Semifinal
2013 Australian Open Semifinal
2015 Australian Open Win
2015 French Open Semifinal
Daniele Bracciali 2012 French Open Semifinal
Potito Starace 2012 French Open Semifinal
Andrea Vavassori 2024 Australian Open Final
2024 French Open Final
2025 Australian Open Final

Women's singles

Flavia Pennetta, last Italian female winner of a Grand Slam tournament, in 2015. Flavia Pennetta (24340965472).jpg
Flavia Pennetta, last Italian female winner of a Grand Slam tournament, in 2015.

Nine Italian female tennis players have reached at least the semifinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. [4] [5]

PlayerTournamentResult
Maud Rosenbaum Levi 1930 U. S. National Championships Semifinal
Annalisa Ullstein Bossi Bellani 1949 French International Championships Semifinal
Silvana Lazzarino 1954 French International Championships Semifinal
Francesca Schiavone 2010 French Open Win
2011 French Open Final
Sara Errani 2012 French Open Final
2012 US Open Semifinal
2013 French Open Semifinal
Flavia Pennetta 2013 US Open Semifinal
2015 US Open Win
Roberta Vinci 2015 US Open Final
Martina Trevisan 2022 French Open Semifinal
Jasmine Paolini 2024 French Open Final
2024 Wimbledon Championships Final

Women's doubles

Nine Italian tennis players played at least the semi-final in a Grand Slam tournament.

PlayerTournamentResult
Anna Maria Nasuelli 1974 French Open Semifinal
Sabina Simmonds 1978 Australian Open Semifinal
Daniela Marzano 1978 French Open Semifinal
Sandra Cecchini 1993 French Open Semifinal
Roberta Vinci 2001 US Open Semifinal
2004 French Open Semifinal
2012 Australian Open Final
2012 French Open Win
2012 US Open Win
2013 Australian Open Win
2013 French Open Final
2014 Australian Open Win
2014 French Open Final
2014 Wimbledon Championships Win
Flavia Pennetta 2005 US Open Final
2010 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
2011 Australian Open Win
2012 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
2014 US Open Final
2015 US Open Semifinal
Francesca Schiavone 2006 US Open Semifinal
2008 French Open Final
2009 Australian Open Semifinal
2012 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
Mara Santangelo 2007 French Open Win
2007 Wimbledon Championships Semifinal
2009 Australian Open Semifinal
Sara Errani 2012 Australian Open Final
2012 French Open Win
2012 US Open Win
2013 Australian Open Win
2013 French Open Final
2014 Australian Open Win
2014 French Open Final
2014 Wimbledon Championships Win
2024 French Open Final
Jasmine Paolini 2024 French Open Final

All tournament winners in Open Era

Men's singles

As of 26 January 2025, 99 tournaments have been won by 28 Italian tennis players in the major circuit.

  Still active

Men's doubles

As of 9 February 2025, 87 tournaments have been won by 36 Italian tennis players in the major circuit.

  Still active

Women's singles

As of 24 February 2024, 78 tournaments have been won by 21 Italian tennis players in the major circuit.

  Still active

Women's doubles

As of 16 February 2025, 126 tournaments have been won by 21 Italian tennis players in the major circuit.

  Still active

Italian wins against the Current World's Number 1

Male

Nine Italian tennis players managed to beat the current number 1 in the world.

#DatePlayerTournamentTierSurfaceCurrent World's N.1Score
1 17 May 1974 Corrado Barazzutti Munich, West Germany250 seriesClay Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Ilie Năstase 6–3, 6–7, 6–1
2 9 November 1975 Adriano Panatta Stockholm, SwedenMasters 1000Carpet Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors 4–6, 6–3, 7–5
318 April 1977Adriano PanattaHouston, United States250 seriesClay Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors6–1, 7–5
4 15 June 2000 Gianluca Pozzi Queen's, Great Britain250 seriesGrass Flag of the United States.svg Andre Agassi 4–6, 3–2 ret.
5 10 May 2007 Filippo Volandri Rome, ItalyMasters 1000Clay Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Roger Federer 6–3, 6–4
6 16 May 2017 Fabio Fognini Rome, ItalyMasters 1000Clay Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Murray 6–2, 6–4
7 30 October 2020 Lorenzo Sonego Vienna, Austria500 seriesHard (i) Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic 6–2, 6–1
8 31 March 2023 Jannik Sinner Miami, United StatesMasters 1000Hard Flag of Spain.svg Carlos Alcaraz 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 6–2
9 13 April 2023 Lorenzo Musetti Monte-Carlo, MonacoMasters 1000Clay Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic4–6, 7–5, 6–4
10 14 November 2023 Jannik Sinner Turin, ItalyATP FinalsHard (i) Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic7–5, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2)
11 25 November 2023 Jannik Sinner Malaga, SpainDavis CupHard (i) Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic6–2, 2–6, 7–5
12 26 January 2024 Jannik Sinner Melbourne, AustraliaGrand SlamHard Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic6–1, 6–2, 6–7(6–8), 6–3
13 11 March 2024 Luca Nardi Indian Wells, United StatesMasters 1000Hard Flag of Serbia.svg Novak Djokovic6–4, 3–6, 6–3

Female

Four Italian tennis players managed to beat the current number 1 in the world.

#DatePlayerTournamentTierSurfaceCurrent World's N.1Score
1 26 May 2004 Tathiana Garbin Paris, FranceGrand SlamClay Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin 7–5, 6–4
2 23 April 2006 Francesca Schiavone Nancy, FranceBillie Jean King CupClay Flag of France.svg Amélie Mauresmo 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–4
3 28 February 2008 Francesca Schiavone Dubai, United Arab EmiratesTier II SeriesHard Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)
4 16 October 2008 Flavia Pennetta Zurich, SwitzerlandTier II SeriesHard (i) Flag of Serbia.svg Jelena Janković 5–7, 6–3, 6–3
5 10 August 2011 Roberta Vinci Toronto, CanadaPremier 5Hard Flag of Denmark.svg Caroline Wozniacki 6–4, 7–5
6 7 October 2011 Flavia Pennetta Beijing, ChinaPremier MandatoryHard (i) Flag of Denmark.svg Caroline Wozniacki3–6, 6–0, 7–6(7–2)
7 11 September 2015 Roberta Vinci New York, United StatesGrand SlamHard Flag of the United States.svg Serena Williams 2–6, 6–4, 6–4

All-Italian finals in Open Era

Male

There were seven all-Italian finals in Open Era in the ATP Tour. [6]

#   Date   TournamentVenueTierSurfaceWinnerRunner-upResult
1May 1974 Florence Open Flag of Italy.svg Florence C eventsClay Adriano Panatta Paolo Bertolucci 6–4, 6–1
2 July 1976 Swedish Open Flag of Sweden.svg Båstad Three-star eventsClay Tonino Zugarelli Corrado Barazzutti 4–6, 7–5, 6–2
3 March 1980 Cairo Open Flag of Egypt.svg Cairo Grand PrixClay Corrado Barazzutti Paolo Bertolucci 4–6, 7–5, 6–2
4 April 1987 Hypo Group Tennis International Flag of Italy.svg Bari Grand PrixClay Claudio Pistolesi Francesco Cancellotti 6–7, 7–5, 6–3
5May 1988 Florence Open Flag of Italy.svg Florence Grand PrixClay Massimiliano Narducci Claudio Panatta 3–6. 6–1, 6–4
6 Feb 2021 Great Ocean Road Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne 250 SeriesHard Jannik Sinner Stefano Travaglia 7–6(7–4), 6–4
7 Oct 2022 Tennis Napoli Cup Flag of Italy.svg Naples 250 SeriesHard Lorenzo Musetti Matteo Berrettini 7–6(7–5), 6–2

Female

#   Date   TournamentVenueTierSurfaceWinnerRunner-upResult
1 May 1985 Spanish Open Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona WTA $50,000Clay Sandra Cecchini Raffaella Reggi 6–3, 6–4
2 July 1990 Estoril Open Flag of Portugal.svg Oeiras WTA Tier VClay Federica Bonsignori Laura Garrone 2–6, 6–3, 6–3
3 July 1991 San Marino Open Flag of San Marino.svg City of San Marino WTA Tier VClay Katia Piccolini Silvia Farina 6–2, 6–3
4 March 2003 Morocco Open Flag of Morocco.svg Casablanca WTA Tier VClay Rita Grande Antonella Serra Zanetti 6–2, 4–6, 6–1
5 February 2007 Copa Colsanitas Flag of Colombia.svg Bogotá WTA Tier IIIClay Roberta Vinci Tathiana Garbin 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 0–3 ret.
6 July 2009 Internazionali Femminili di Palermo Flag of Italy.svg Palermo WTA InternationalClay Flavia Pennetta Sara Errani 6–1, 6–2
7 April 2010 Barcelona Ladies Open Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona WTA InternationalClay Francesca Schiavone Roberta Vinci 6–1, 6–1
8 February 2012 Abierto Mexicano Telcel Flag of Mexico.svg Acapulco WTA InternationalClay Sara Errani Flavia Pennetta 5–7, 7–6(7–2), 6–0
9 July 2013 Internazionali Femminili di Palermo Flag of Italy.svg Palermo WTA InternationalClay Roberta Vinci Sara Errani 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
10 May 2015 Nürnberger Cup Flag of Germany.svg Nürnberg WTA InternationalClay Karin Knapp Roberta Vinci 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 6–1
11 September 2015 US Open Flag of the United States.svg New York City Grand SlamHard Flavia Pennetta Roberta Vinci 7-6, 6-2

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Graduatoria degli sport più praticati in Italia" (PDF) (in Italian). coni.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "QUANTI ITALIANI SONO ENTRATI NEI TOP 50? RISPONDE L'ESPERTO" (in Italian). supertennis.tv. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "Marco Cecchinato è l'ottavo giocatore nella storia del tennis italiano ad approdare in una semifinale Slam" (in Italian). superlivetennis.it. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "I migliori risultati delle azzurre nei tornei dello Slam". federtennis.it (in Italian). Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "VINCI-PENNETTA Tutti i numeri di un'impresa". federtennis.it (in Italian). Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "ATP: SINNER-TRAVAGLIA, SETTIMO DERBY AZZURRO IN FINALE. I PRECEDENTI" (in Italian). federtennis.it. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
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