Sports
Rome Tennis Draw Unveiled at Iconic Trevi Fountain Ceremony
The stage was set at the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, as the draw for the 2024 Internazionali BNL d’Italia unfolded in a dazzling ceremony. Tennis stars Elina Svitolina and Holger Rune added to the spectacle by tossing coins into the historic fountain to invoke good luck for the upcoming tournament.
Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal, a stalwart of the Foro Italico, was handed a matchup against a qualifier in his initial round. The draw also revealed an intriguing potential second-round clash with the seventh-seeded Hubert Hukacz for Nadal, who is seeking to continue his good form from the previous tournament.
Meanwhile, Holger Rune, the No. 10 seed, found himself in a challenging section alongside Nadal and Hurkacz. Despite the tough competition, Rune remained focused on his opening match against either Daniel Altmaier or Luca Nardi, emphasizing his intention to take each match as it comes.
Rune, who made a breakthrough by stunning Novak Djokovic last year, reflected on his memorable run to the final in 2023. He is determined to recapture that success and delight fans with his spirited performances this year in Rome.
The women’s draw saw Svitolina, seeded 16th, expressing her excitement for the tournament in the vibrant city of Rome. As a two-time champion, Svitolina highlighted the energetic atmosphere and the support of the fans as motivating factors for her performance.
Svitolina, who recently returned to the Top 20, shared her aspirations to inspire young athletes and promote the benefits of sports. Juggling professional tennis with motherhood, Svitolina humorously mentioned her toddler’s early interest in tennis gear, hinting at a future in the sport for her daughter.
On the women’s side, the draw pitted Svitolina against either Sara Errani or Amanda Anisimova in her first match, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka awaited her own challenge. Sabalenka, fresh off a thrilling final in Madrid, is set to begin her campaign against either Wang Yafan or a qualifier.
The reigning champion, Iga Swiatek, will kick off her title defense against either Caroline Dolehide or a qualifier, promising an enthralling start to the women’s competition at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
