What Is 2009 Internazionali BNL d'Italia

Overview

The 2009 Internazionali BNL d'Italia was one of the most prestigious clay-court tennis tournaments of the season, serving as a key warm-up event for the French Open. Held annually in Rome, the tournament brought together elite men's and women's players on the red clay courts of the Foro Italico.

This edition marked the 66th running of the men’s tournament and the 23rd for the women’s, combining ATP and WTA tours under one roof. The event showcased high-level competition and dramatic finishes, setting the tone for the upcoming Grand Slam season.

• Event Dates: The tournament ran from May 4 to May 17, 2009, aligning with the traditional European clay swing leading into Roland Garros.
• Location: Matches were played at the Foro Italico in Rome, a historic sports complex known for its scenic backdrop and passionate crowds.
• Surface: The tournament was contested on outdoor red clay courts, a surface that favors baseline players with strong endurance and topspin.
• Men’s Champion:Rafael Nadal claimed his fifth Rome title by defeating Novak Djokovic 7–6(7–2), 6–2 in the final, further solidifying his clay dominance.
• Women’s Champion:Dinara Safina won her first title of the year, defeating Jelena Janković 6–3, 6–2, showing strong form ahead of the French Open.

How It Works

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia operates as a joint ATP and WTA event, combining men’s and women’s draws into a single, high-profile tournament. Players earn ranking points and prize money based on their performance, with the structure designed to mirror Grand Slam preparation.

• ATP Masters 1000: The men’s event is classified as a Masters 1000 tournament, offering 1,000 ranking points to the winner and attracting the top 50 players globally.
• WTA Premier: The women’s draw is a WTA Premier event, providing 1,000 points to the champion and drawing nearly all of the WTA Tour’s top-ranked athletes.
• Draw Size: The singles draws included 56 players for men and 64 players for women, with multiple rounds of best-of-three sets matches.
• Prize Money: Total prize funds exceeded $2.4 million, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving $550,000.
• Seeding: The top eight players were seeded based on ATP and WTA rankings to avoid early matchups between top contenders.
• Wildcard Entries: Several Italian players received wildcards, including Potito Starace and Sara Errani, to boost local interest and participation.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 Rome tournament compared to other major clay events in the same season:

The Rome tournament stood out due to its timing, venue prestige, and competitive depth. While Madrid overlapped slightly, Rome’s outdoor clay and longer history made it a favorite among players and fans alike.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Internazionali BNL d'Italia played a crucial role in shaping the clay-court season and influencing Grand Slam outcomes. Its results provided insight into player form and mental readiness just weeks before Roland Garros.

• Rafael Nadal’s dominance: Winning in Rome reinforced Nadal’s status as the world’s best clay-court player, boosting his confidence for the French Open.
• Dinara Safina’s rise: Her victory marked her third title of the year, helping her maintain the world No. 1 ranking despite Grand Slam final losses.
• Italian pride: The tournament boosted tennis visibility in Italy, with local players gaining experience against top-tier competition.
• Clay preparation: Many top players use Rome as a final tune-up before Paris, refining their game under match conditions.
• Historical continuity: As one of the oldest tournaments on tour, the event preserves tennis tradition and European sports culture.
• Commercial success: With strong attendance and TV coverage, the event demonstrated the economic viability of combined ATP-WTA events.

The 2009 edition remains a notable chapter in tennis history, highlighting the competitive depth and global appeal of the sport during the clay season.