Italian tennis star Stefano Napolitano was left embarrassed at the Rome Masters after his defeat to Alex Molcan attracted very few local fans, despite them having the chance to cheer on their compatriot. Whether his performance could be attributed to a lack of home support that he perhaps may have been expecting remains to be seen, but tournament organisers will not be overjoyed at the idea that so many skipped the opportunity to cheer on a fellow Italian.
Napolitano was defeated by Molcan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 on Grandstand while viewers watching the broadcast especially were baffled at the lack of attendance – which had also been spotted during Sofia Kenin’s win over Aryna Sabalenka and Caroline Garcia’s victory against Ana Bogdan. It had been pointed out that both Grandstand and Centre Court were close to empty, due to a number of factors including a local football match.
Tennis fans took to social media to voice their concerns over the lack of supporters in Rome. @anjan_luthra tweeted: “It was the same yesterday for the early part of the Badosa match. What on earth is going on? I visited last year and Centre Court was packed with big attendance. Is it a reflection of economic times or something else specific to the tournament?”
While others called for prices to be lowered in order to attract more matchgoers. “Time to make tickets cheaper,” @JamesWa27499214 wrote on Twitter. “Or install a roof on Centrale…that would attract fans worried about rain wiping out play. Offer all in one packages for international fans, flight tickets, hotel stays + foro italico tickets. That could help fill more seats.”
However, many locals could have instead chosen to travel to the Stadio Olimpico to see Jose Mourinho’s Roma take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final first leg which was being played at the same time.
Roma were vying for their second European final in two years, having won the Conference League last season, which may have taken up the interest of sports fans in the Italian capital.
While there were numerous complaints over extending tournaments such as the Rome Masters to 10 days, stretching out the event, while many fans on social media complained that ticket prices had been too high.
While near to the time of Napolitano’s match, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were practising which also may have taken some fans away from the 7.00pm clash with Molcan.
However, the event will be concerned that prime-time matches involving two Italians were not well-attended by the local Rome population and will hope that concerns from fans surrounding ticket pricing and the schedule are addressed before next year’s tournament.
