Roma Masters Preview

Andy has landed on clay courts this month and is now in the land of pasta and gelato. For his fourth year in Foro Italico - Rome for the Roma Masters Series, he’ll be bringing out his volleying and killer kick serve to the court again.

“(Andy’s) participation is always very important for the Italian audience,” commented Tournament Director Sergio Palmieri. Andy as a competitor is unique by “the sportiness, the power, the fair play” he brings to the game, Palmieri added.

Last year, Andy was noted for his sportsmanship when he overruled the umpires call for Andy to win the match, Andy said it was wide, and Verdasco came back to take the “W” after five sets. The year before, Andy was noted for his heroism when his hotel was on fire and he helped people to his balcony. This year will be about volleys, aces, and winners.

Roma is a city of culture, architecture, and, for a few weeks every year, tennis. The Roma Masters Series has reached its 76th year running, and both the ATP and the WTA participate in it. The prize money for the ATP is totaling a little over two million euros, and 1.3 million euros for the WTA. With its eight clay courts and competitive line up, Roma is in for great non-stop tennis.

“(Andy’s participation) confirms the importance of the tournament,” Palmieri responded on Andy’s annual return to Rome. There will be some top-notch American tennis this year as well, with ninth-seed James Blake competing and doubles-play from Andy, Robby, and James. “The vast majority of the Roman audience loves American athletes.”

As for the fans who are going or would like to get tickets to this event, you can buy day passes for the first week of both ATP and the WTA matches, and packages are available from weekend packages to VIP courtside box seats. If you are traveling to Roma, there are a few key phrases you should know:

Buon giorno- (Bwone jor-no)- Good day
Buona notte- ( Bwona note-ay)- Good night
Ciao- (chow)- the “universal hello and good-bye”
Per favore- (per fa-vor-ay)- Please
Grazie- (grat-see-ay)- Thank you
Prego (pray-go)- You’re welcome …Yes, just like the tomato sauce.
Posso avere …?- ( pose-o ah-ver-ay)- Can I have…?
Dove e il tennis?- (Doe-vay ay)- Where is the tennis?
Vittoria!- (vee-tor-ee-ah)- Victory!
… and most importantly…
VA ANDY!- GO ANDY!

Stay tuned to AR.com for match previews, match reports, and everything Andy from Roma! Va Andy!