Young and the restless: Former junior champs Alexander Blockx and Rafael Jódar take ATP Challenger titles

The Tennis Club Garden in Rome isn’t the place for grand stage shows or glitzy presentations. Instead, the venue sits directly under a flight path, where Ryanair planes approach nearby Ciampino Airport every fifteen minutes.

The hum of low-flying aircraft is part of the unmistakable atmosphere at the Roma Garden Open—a tournament that, since 2002 (with the exception of the pandemic year 2020), has offered nothing but pure tennis.

A True Challenger Experience

The Roma Garden Open is a textbook example of what defines an ATP Challenger tournament: little glamour, no spotlight—just high-level, authentic tennis in a close-knit environment. At this event, the sport takes center stage, not the spectacle. The emotional Roman crowd adds to the vibrant atmosphere around the grounds.

The Roma Garden Open is a textbook example of what defines an ATP Challenger tournament: little glamor, no spotlight—just high-level, authentic tennis in a close-knit environment.

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With ticket prices at just €10 ($11.50), fans can enjoy matches up close and personal. Due to a lack of parking spaces, visitors typically abandon their cars in a long line along the adjacent country road and walk the remaining distance to the venue.

Don’t expect the professional infrastructure media representatives enjoy on the ATP Tour. A press center? Nowhere to be found. Reliable Wi-Fi? Not here. But if you’re lucky, you might score a spot at the small café on-site—home to one precious power outlet.

Charming improvisation is part of what gives this tournament its distinctive character.

Despite its modest surroundings, the Roma Garden Open has produced an impressive list of past champions over the years. This year, home favorite Matteo Gigante lifted the trophy.

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A List of Notable Champions

Despite its modest surroundings, the Roma Garden Open has produced an impressive list of past champions over the years. Players such as Argentina’s Federico Delbonis, Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, Britain’s Kyle Edmund, and Italy’s Marco Cecchinato all laid the groundwork for later success here. This year, it was home favorite Matteo Gigante who lifted the trophy.

“For me, the tournament at the Tennis Club Garden was always special because it took place one week before the ATP Masters 1000 event at the Foro Italico,” Challenger legend Paolo Lorenzi is quoted as saying in the tournament magazine. “I used it to prepare for the most important tennis event in Italy.” Over the course of his career, the Roman claimed 21 titles on the Challenger Tour. While the Roma Garden Open wasn’t among them, Lorenzi always relished competing there.

“Being supported by the passionate crowd gave me strength in both singles and doubles. It’s a date not to be missed—also because of Pancho, whose experience and kindness always made you feel right at home.”

"The tournament at the Tennis Club Garden was always special because it took place one week before the ATP Masters 1000 event at the Foro Italico,” says Challenger legend Paolo Lorenzi.

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Tennis Up Close

Just behind the stands of Court No. 1 and next to the players’ area, older gentlemen are playing cards. The vibe is relaxed, reminiscent of a time when tennis felt more immediate—closer to the players, more direct in its emotional impact.

Here, professionals fight for valuable ranking points in every round and strive for the next breakthrough in their careers, all under the eyes of a crowd that shares their love for the game.

The Roma Garden Open clearly proves one thing: tennis doesn’t need floodlights, sky-cams, or VIP lounges to make an impact. Sometimes all it takes is a few humble courts in southeastern Rome, players giving their all—and a setting steeped in authenticity to bring the true spirit of the sport to life.

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