This content was published 13 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

“I am delighted to be here today as I have always had two main loves when it comes to tennis: the Davis Cup and the Foro Italico,” said organising committee president Nicola Pietrangeli. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of “Nick’s” second triumph at the Internazionali, though back in 1961 the tournament was held in Turin to mark the centenary of Italian unification. Pietrangeli defeated Rod Laver in the final back then, and he was delighted to be able to continue one of the traditions of the Foro Italico: “The Racchetta d’Oro award (The Golden Racquet) has become over the years an award which everyone waits for with bated breath. Plenty of former greats have been calling me up to ask me when their turn will come! This year the award goes to the great Ken Rosewall – no-one has ever matched his backhand in all the years since – and the other special guest will be Monica Seles.”