TODI/STARNBERG, August 8, 2026
The infectious enthusiasm of children taking part in a tennis activity set up in the heart of Todi, Italy, the chance to hit with tournament player Federico Arnaboldi, and the proud words of local and sporting authorities all highlighted the special place the Internazionali di Tennis Citta di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup holds within the community.
The tournament has been part of Todi’s sporting fabric since 2007, with countless champions having graced the courts of Tennis Club Todi 1971 over the years. Among them are former world No. 1s such as Carlos Alcaraz and Thomas Muster, as well as eight of the nine Italian players currently ranked inside the Top 100, including Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini.
The excitement surrounding the latest edition of the ATP Challenger 75, which will be held from August 9 to 16, was evident in Piazza del Popolo. The day began with promotional activities for children before the tournament’s official presentation brought together representatives from the city, tennis federation and sporting community.
Alongside Todi mayor Antonino Ruggiano, the press conference was attended by Sports Councillor Alessia Marta, Budget Councillor Elena Baglioni, Deputy Mayor Claudio Ranchicchio, FITP Umbria president Maurizio Mencaroni, CONI Umbria president Professor Carlo Moscatelli, FITP national board member Roberto Carraresi, MEF Tennis Events CEO Marcello Marchesini and Mauro Cinti, representing title sponsor Sidernestor.
Il tennis conquista Piazza del Popolo a Todi 🤩🎾
👉🏼 Venerdì 7 agosto, dalle 17:00 alle 20:00, vieni a provare il tennis su un campo d’eccezione 😍#tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger #Todi pic.twitter.com/ADBikZTNx8
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 3, 2026
Ruggiano: “This tournament is a source of pride”
Todi mayor Antonino Ruggiano, who has played an important role in the tournament since its creation in 2007, emphasized the event’s growing importance for the city.
“You never get used to tournaments of this importance, and the entry list is proof of an event that continues to grow every year,” Ruggiano said. “There are names such as Marco Cecchinato and Francesco Passaro, as well as many promising young players. For us, this is both a sporting and a tourism event that contributes to the image of our city.”
Looking back on the tournament’s beginnings, Ruggiano recalled the bold decision that helped bring Challenger tennis to Todi.
“I remember when Marcello Marchesini first proposed organizing the tournament and told me we had just two months to make it happen. It was incredible that we managed to do it,” he said.
“Top-level tennis has now become one of the most popular sports among Italians. The courageous and visionary decision we took 18 years ago is a source of great pride – because of the tournament’s growing reputation, the extremely high level of competition and the young talents who have played on the courts of Pontenaia.
“Todi will once again provide a spectacular setting for a week of exciting matches, while the tournament itself showcases the beauty and hospitality of the city. The continued development of the Tennis Club, which the municipal administration remains committed to supporting, together with the proven organizational and professional qualities of MEF Tennis Events, provide a guarantee of success for the 2026 edition and those to come.
“As the mayor who helped give birth to the Internazionali, I can only be delighted to see the tournament reach adulthood and establish itself as an undisputed reference point for Italian tennis.”
Marchesini: “This is not an edition like the others”
For tournament director and MEF Tennis Events CEO Marcello Marchesini, the Todi event has always carried a special significance. The 2026 edition, however, has an added sense of occasion.
“This is not an edition like the others,” Marchesini said. “It marks 20 years since the first Challenger edition, even though this is officially the 18th edition. The only regret is that our paths were separated for two years.
“In terms of longevity, we are still among the five longest-running tournaments in Italy, and in two years the ATP will recognize us for reaching 20 editions.”
Marchesini also paid tribute to Ruggiano’s role in bringing professional tennis to Todi.
“When that moment comes, it will be important to have Antonino Ruggiano by my side, whatever role he may have at that time. Even when he was not mayor, he was always there and followed the tournament with great interest,” he said.
“If the ATP Challenger exists in Todi today, it is because Antonino accepted that challenge. I had obtained the week from the ATP, proposed the event to him and immediately found a great willingness to make it happen.”
Over the years, Todi has also hosted the Coppa Valerio and an edition of the Italian Championships following the pandemic. MEF Tennis Events has meanwhile played a key role in the development of professional tennis across Umbria, organizing the Challenger in Perugia for many years and contributing to the creation of the ITF event in Gubbio.
Todi also remains a family affair for Marchesini.
“Here in Todi, I am also the tournament director, and alongside me are my daughters Elena and Federica, who organize all of our events and have allowed us to achieve great results for many years in this adventure that began in my hometown,” he said.
Mencaroni: “Tennis in Piazza is a great opportunity”
The Todi Challenger is about more than professional tennis. The event also provides an important platform to promote the sport among younger generations.
That was particularly evident during Tennis in Piazza, which brought children onto a specially prepared court in Piazza del Popolo, where they had the opportunity to pick up a racket and even hit with Federico Arnaboldi.
Maurizio Mencaroni, president of FITP Umbria, welcomed the strong response to the initiative and emphasized the importance of taking tennis beyond traditional club environments.
“The Todi tournament is part of the tradition of tennis in Umbria, together with Perugia, Gubbio and the Junior Tennis Tennis Europe event,” Mencaroni said. “It is always an honour for us to support it and, as a Federation, we also contribute through promotional activities such as Tennis in Piazza, which gives young people the opportunity to play the sport and experience it up close.
“Despite tennis going through a period of extraordinary popularity, we continue to invest in promoting the sport by bringing it into town squares and schools.”
