It’s called the UniCredit Firenze Open and it’s taking place at Palazzo Wanny from 10 to 16 October. This is the tournament that attracts the strongest Italian players, with prize money of 612,000 euros. A momentous event that marks the return of international tennis to Florence after a gap of 28 years. The last time the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals, which brings together professional male players from around the world) came to Florence was in 1994, on the historic red clay courts of the Circolo Tennis Firenze at Cascine. The event’s hall of fame features two world number ones: Ilie Nastase, who won in 1973, and Thomas Muster, winner in three consecutive years from 1991 to 1993. Italian players have triumphed on seven occasions, including three stand-out wins in a row by Paolo Bertolucci from 1975 to 1977.    

Signed up for this October’s event are Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego, and also international stars of the calibre of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jenson Brooksby, Alexander Bublik and Brandon Nakashima. Unfortunately the top hopeful from Trentino, Jannik Sinner, has withdrawn due to a recent injury. The Florence tournament also serves to collect points and secure a place in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for 13 to 20 November. The Florence ATP event takes place from Monday to Saturday, with daily sessions from 11:00 and evening games from 19:30; singles and doubles finals are on the Sunday.   

It’s also the perfect opportunity to check out the new Palazzo Wanny, which was inaugurated at the start of 2022. It’s a multi-purpose sports centre with a gym and an indoor arena, given to the city by Wanny di Filippo, founder of the acclaimed Florentine leather goods brand Il Bisonte. Located in San Bartolo a Cintoia in Florence’s Quartiere 4, the venue has a capacity of approximately 3500, and includes a bar-restaurant, gym, conference room, concert hall, hospitality area and much more besides.