By Matt Hill
I consider the Italian Open to be the second most prestigious clay court event outside of Roland
Garros and most year the men’s field would be absolutely loaded with everyone trying to get
their last swings in before Roland Garros.
This year though, as was previously mentioned in the last segment, so many players are injured. I
think through all of this, there are two players who have to be licking their chops right now who
have combined for 16 Rome titles and 17 Roland Garros titles.
Of course I am talking about the GOATS, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, both of whom
were counted out just a couple of weeks ago.
Nadal changed the narrative with a fourth-round appearance in Madrid and while I do not expect
him to win Rome, the goal for Rafa is to get a few matches and then get ready for Paris and go
all out in the city of lights.
Djokovic has become a contender again just because he hasn’t been playing and therefore hasn’t
been getting injured. If I had to make a pick to win Rome right now, I think I would go with him.
Yes, he has the shakeup in his team, but we are talking Novak Djokovic here, not a novice
player.
I know Djokovic has maybe lost a step the last few months, but anybody else would take an
Aussie Open semifinal and a Monte Carlo semifinal to start the season. Every time you count
him out, he changes the narrative.
PREDICTIONS
WINNER: Novak Djokovic
DARKHORSE: Stefanos Tsitsipas
BOLD PREDICTION: Somebody outside the top 20 will be in the semifinals
WOMEN
After that classic match between Swiatek and Sabalenka in Madrid, we would like nothing more
to see a rematch in Rome. Elena Rybakina is the most viable candidate to ruin that final.
Rybakina is the defending champion here and even though she is not known for a clay prowess,
she is having a tremendous year on dirt, champion in Stuttgart and semifinalist in Madrid, losing
to Sabalenka in three sets in another great match in Spain.
Right now, though, if Swiatek won on clay in Madrid, she is going to be an even bigger favorite
in Rome. I just can’t pick against her the rest of the spring clay season. I already have her picked
to win Roland Garros and the Olympics.
PREDICTIONS
FAVORITE: Iga Swiatek
DARKHORSE: Danielle Collins
BOLD PREDICTION: Sabalenka loses before the semifinals
