STARNBERG, September 14, 2020

Rafael Nadal will pursue his 10th Internazionali BNL d’Italia trophy this week at the Foro Italico in Rome. The 34-year-old Spaniard will attempt to add to his 61-6 record in the Italian capital and clinch a third straight trophy at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

After a first-round bye, No. 2 seeded Nadal will play compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, who reached the semi-finals at last week’s US Open.

Nadal  is joined in the draw by fellow 35-time Masters 1000 champion Novak Djokovic, who triumphed at last month’s Western & Southern Open in New York. Nadal and Djokovic have combined to win 13 of the past 15 editions of this tournament. The World No.1 from Serbia will face either a qualifier or Italian wild card entry Salvatore Caruso in his opening match.

Other Top 10 stars competing in Rome are reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion and No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, Italian No. 1 Matteo Berrettini, French star Gael Monfils and 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up David Goffin. Fifteen Top 20 players will compete in Rome, including 10th seed and 2008 runner-up Stan Wawrinka.

Italian health authorities have decided that the tournament, which drew 220,000 spectators last year, must be played behind closed doors under Italy’s coronavirus restrictions. Players travelling to Rome from the US Open in New York will reportedly have a special permit to be able to play without the quarantine required for those entering Italy from the United States.