The 2022 Italian Open is the latest event on the WTA calendar and a number of the world’s best players are set to compete. 

This will be the 79th edition of the competition, which was first held in Milan in 1930. 

The event is classified as a WTA 1000 event –– the highest category of tournament aside from the four Grand Slams. 

World number one Iga Swiatek is the defending champion, having thrashed Karolina Pliskova 6-0 6-0 in last year’s final. 

GiveMeSport Women runs through everything you need to know about the competition:

When is the Italian Open?

Generally, the event is played during the second week in May and this year is no exception.

The tournament will start on Monday, May 8th, with the final on Sunday, May 15th. 

Many regard the Italian Open as the last big warm-up event before the French Open and a good chance for players to find form ahead of the second major of the season. 

Where is the Italian Open? 

The women’s event was played in Perugia from 1980 through to 1984 and in Taranto in 1985. No women’s event was held in 1986, but in 1987 it returned to Rome and has remained there ever since.

The competition is held at the Stadio del tennis di Roma at the Foro Italico sports complex. The main stadium has a capacity of 10,500 and regularly hosts sporting events every year. 

Who is Emma Raducanu playing? 

Raducanu has confirmed she will compete in the Italian Open and has been drawn against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu in the first round. 

The Brit has been impressive so far on clay this season –– reaching the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open and the third round in Madrid. 

If she beats Andreescu, a blockbuster match against Naomi Osaka could await in round two. 

Osaka will play Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round –– the same player she lost to in Madrid last week. 

Who is the favourite? 

As the world number one and defending champion, Swiatek is the overwhelming favourite to win again in Rome. 

The Polish star is on a run of 23 consecutive victories and has won four titles in a row. 

Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka are seeded second and third respectively, while Simona Halep will be vying to win her second title of the year. 

How to watch the Italian Open? 

You can watch the entire tournament, including all of Raducanu’s matches, live on Amazon Prime Video. 
Check out which other events Prime Video is covering here