World number four Daniil Medvedev is the reigning men’s singles champion, while Elena Rybakina will look to defend her women’s singles title. Rybakina has shown impressive results in recent weeks, recording a victory at the Stuttgart Open and a semi-final at the Madrid Open. Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and reigning Monte-Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas are also expected to compete at the Italian Open. And notable players missing from Rome will be two of the world’s top three players: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Main defeats of the tournament:
Simona Halep
Former world number one Simona Halep will miss the 2024 Italian Open in Rome this week. The Romanian has been absent from the women’s circuit for 18 months due to a doping suspension. She returned in April at the Miami Open and was eliminated in the first round by Paula Badosa. Halep provided an update on her fitness ahead of the Madrid Open and said she would need more time to prepare physically to compete at the highest level.
Halep was not included in the Italian Open roster. She is a three-time finalist at the Rome tournament and managed to win the title in 2020, where she defeated Czech tennis player Karolina Pliskova in the final.
Andy Murray
Andy Murray also withdrew from the Italian Open. Murray had a strong performance at the Miami Open last month, reaching the third round. He beat opponents like Matteo Berrettini and Tomas Martin Echeverri in the first two rounds, but failed to overtake Tomas Machacs. In addition, the 36-year-old tennis player twisted his ankle during the deciding set against the Czech. Murray has not played on the men’s tour since then and his chances of qualifying for the 2024 French Open are also doubtful.
Jannik sinner
World number two Jannik Sinner is also forced to miss the 2024 Italian Open. Sinner was perhaps the brightest player on the men’s tour this year. He has won 92% of his matches so far and has won titles at the Rotterdam Open, Miami Open and the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne. The Italian last played at the Madrid Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. He withdrew a few hours before his meeting with Félix Auger-Aliassime due to a thigh injury and has now also decided not to participate in the Italian Open.
Jessica Pegula
World number 5 Jessica Pegula has been ruled out of the 2024 Italian Open. Pegula has had a weak start to the season so far, with 14 wins in 20 matches. She missed hardcourt tournaments in the Middle East due to a neck injury and her last appearance was during qualifying for the Billie Jean King Cup.
Carlos Alcaraz
Ultimately, clay court specialist and world number three Carlos Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open. Alcaraz last played at the Madrid Open, where he reached the quarterfinals and lost to Russian Andrey Rublev in a thrilling three sets: 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Spaniard missed the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open due to injury and has now decided not to participate in the 2024 Italian Open in Rome.
Viachestal Gorbachev/Athletistic
Source: Sport
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