Rome Masters and WTA 1000 Set for May 4 Start with €8.2M Men's, $8.3M Women's Prize Money

Key facts

• Men's total prize money: €8,235,540; women's total prize money: $8,312,293.
• Main draw for both singles begins Monday, May 4 at 11:00 CET (women's draw), men's draw to follow.
• Women's main draw starts Tuesday, May 5; men's main draw starts Wednesday, May 6.
• Women's singles final: Saturday, May 16; men's singles final: Sunday, May 17.
• Top 32 players seeded, receiving first-round byes; rankings as of May 4 determine seedings.
• 96 players in each main draw: 79 men (or fewer with protected rankings) + 12 qualifiers + 5 wildcards + 32 byes; 76 women + 12 qualifiers + 8 wildcards + 32 byes.
• Qualifying: 48 spots per gender, 12 qualifiers each; qualifying rounds May 4-5.
• Italian wildcards announced: men – Matteo Arnaldi, Federico Cina, Francesco Maestrelli, Luca Nardi, Gianluca Cadenasso; women – Nuria Brancaccio, Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, Lisa Pigato, Jennifer Ruggeri, Lucrezia Stefanini, Martina Trevisan (one women's spot still open).

Rome's Clay-Court Showdown: Final Tune-Up Before Roland Garros

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the last major clay-court tournament before the French Open, will unfold in Rome over two weeks starting May 4. With a combined prize pool exceeding €16.5 million, the event draws the world's top players to the Foro Italico for a WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 doubleheader. Qualifying begins Monday, May 4, with 48 men and 48 women vying for 12 main-draw spots each. The women's singles main draw launches Tuesday, May 5, followed by the men's main draw on Wednesday, May 6. The women's champion will be crowned Saturday, May 16, and the men's title match takes place Sunday, May 17.

Draw Date and Seeding Structure

The main draw for both singles events will be held Monday, May 4, at 11:00 CET, with the WTA draw first and the men's draw immediately after. The top 32 players in each field are seeded, earning first-round byes and avoiding other seeds until at least the third round. Seedings will be based on the ATP and WTA rankings published on May 4, making that Monday's rankings critical for positioning. A total of 96 players enter each main draw, including qualifiers and wildcards.

Prize Money and Main Draw Composition

Men's total prize money stands at €8,235,540, while women's total prize money is $8,312,293. The men's main draw comprises 79 top-ranked players (or fewer if protected rankings are used), 12 qualifiers, five wildcards, and 32 byes. The women's main draw includes 76 top-ranked players, 12 qualifiers, eight wildcards, and 32 byes. Italian wildcards have been announced: Matteo Arnaldi, Federico Cina, Francesco Maestrelli, Luca Nardi, and Gianluca Cadenasso for the men; Nuria Brancaccio, Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, Lisa Pigato, Jennifer Ruggeri, Lucrezia Stefanini, and Martina Trevisan for the women. One women's wildcard remains unallocated.

Qualifying Rounds and Schedule Details

Qualifying takes place Monday and Tuesday, May 4-5, with two rounds per gender. Only 12 of the 48 entrants in each qualifying field advance to the main draw. The men's qualifying matches will be held concurrently with the women's first-round main-draw matches on Tuesday. The main draw schedule: women's first round Tuesday, May 5; men's first round Wednesday, May 6. The tournament runs through the finals weekend, with the women's final on Saturday, May 16, and the men's final on Sunday, May 17.

Context: Rome as a Grand Slam Prelude

Rome has long served as the premier warm-up event for Roland Garros, which begins later in May. The clay-court season is at its peak, and players use the Internazionali BNL d'Italia to fine-tune form and fitness on the slow surface. With 32 seeds and a deep field, the tournament often produces surprises and sets the stage for the year's second Grand Slam. The combination of WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 status ensures both tours' elite are present, making Rome a critical stop in the race for year-end rankings.

What to Watch: Key Storylines and Open Questions

The identity of the final women's wildcard remains unknown, adding intrigue to the entry list. Defending champions from previous editions will aim to repeat, while rising Italian players like Matteo Arnaldi and Lucia Bronzetti seek to capitalize on home support. With the French Open looming, Rome's results will shape seeding and momentum for the Grand Slam. The tournament also offers valuable ranking points: a champion earns 1000 points, which can dramatically alter the top 10 landscape.

The bottom line

• Rome's Internazionali BNL d'Italia runs May 4-17, with qualifying starting May 4 and main draws May 5 (women) and May 6 (men).
• Men's prize money: €8,235,540; women's: $8,312,293; top 32 seeds receive first-round byes.
• Italian wildcards include Matteo Arnaldi, Luca Nardi, Lucia Bronzetti, and Martina Trevisan; one women's wildcard remains.
• The tournament is the final major clay-court warm-up before Roland Garros, offering 1000 ranking points to champions.
• Seeding is determined by May 4 rankings, making that Monday's numbers crucial for player positioning.