PERUGIA/STARNBERG, May 31, 2025
A week of world-class tennis and surprises awaits fans as the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia | G.I.Ma. Tennis Cup celebrates its 10th edition. The ATP Challenger 125 event, organized by MEF Tennis Events, returns from June 8 to 15 on the clay courts of Tennis Club Perugia, and promises to mark a memorable milestone.
Leading this year’s entry list is World No. 63 Roberto Carballés Baena, joined by a strong Italian contingent. Among them is local favorite Francesco Passaro, who made waves at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia by reaching the third round with a notable victory over world No. 15 Grigor Dimitrov. Also competing in Umbria is Matteo Gigante, who impressed at Roland Garros by qualifying for the main draw and advancing to the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Luca Nardi, ranked World No. 94 and third seed in Perugia, headlines the group of Italians aiming to make a deep run. Other confirmed Italian players include Andrea Pellegrino, Federico Arnaboldi, and Francesco Maestrelli.
The international field is also noteworthy, featuring former World No. 23 and clay-court specialist Dusan Lajovic, as well as ex-World No. 17 Bernard Tomic. Rounding out the list is 2005-born Rodrigo Pacheco Méndez, a former junior world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, who arrives in Perugia with high expectations.
A Tournament that Elevates a City
During the official press conference at Tennis Club Perugia, the city’s mayor, Vittoria Ferdinandi, emphasized the significance of the tournament:
“It is with great joy that we celebrate together the 10th edition of the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia | G.I.Ma. Tennis Cup. This milestone marks a moment of extraordinary importance for our community, establishing this tournament among the most important of its kind. Tennis holds a special place in my heart—I remember fondly my first steps on the red clay of our club. Here, we not only practice sport but build the social fabric of our community. As citizens, we must continue to promote the values of sport and maintain this strong sense of belonging.”
Pierluigi Vossi, Perugia’s Sports Councillor, added:
“The entry list includes many Italian players, and I want to highlight the presence of Francesco Passaro, who makes us proud with his performances. This event is crucial for the city, and we are ready to support MEF Tennis Events in this extraordinary endeavor.”
Andrea Stafisso, Councillor for Commerce, noted the tournament’s broader impact:
“This event allows us to showcase Perugia on a national and international stage. The ATP Challenger is a challenge to attract more people to Umbria, and it’s our job to make it increasingly harmonious with our places and our history. Tennis is now a key calling card for our country, and we are proud to be a showcase for those who are watching.”
Celebrating a Decade of Growth
The president of Tennis Club Perugia, Luigi Grafas, expressed his pride in hosting the tournament’s tenth edition:
“We are truly happy with how the event has evolved since 2015. It has become a staple on the ATP Challenger Tour, and this year we’ll be recognized for successfully reaching the ten-year milestone. I thank our partners—first and foremost G.I.Ma. S.p.A., the City of Perugia, and MEF Tennis Events. I remember with joy our first edition, though it’s incomparable to today’s high-level organization. I expect a week of great matches and thank all those already working to prepare the clay courts.”
Marcello Marchesini, President of MEF Tennis Events, shared his reflections on a decade of dedication:
“With great sacrifice and passion, and the support of everyone involved, we’ve reached the tenth anniversary of the tournament in Perugia. This place feels like home to us. We’ve worked hard in 2025 to upgrade the club’s facilities to meet the ATP Challenger’s high standards. Now, we are truly ready, and I’m happy to announce that the tenth edition will be broadcast live on the DAZN app—another way to ensure fans don’t miss a single point. I hope many people will join us to celebrate this special anniversary.”
Community, Sustainability, and a Look to the Future
Aurelio Forcignanò, new President of the Regional CONI Committee of Umbria, highlighted the tournament’s impact:
“It’s an honor to be part of the team for the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia | G.I.Ma. Tennis Cup. This event is a benchmark in the sports world—not only in Umbria but across Italy and internationally. The passion, organization, and technical level on display each year show how sport can enhance a region and bring people together.”
Roberto Carraresi, President of FITP Umbria, emphasized the health of tennis in the region:
“This tournament is not just an excellent event—it crowns a thriving regional tennis scene. Francesco Passaro stands out as a true ambassador for Umbria. His results make us proud, and we look forward to watching him and all the other Italians in action. It will be a wonderful show.”
A City-Wide Celebration
To mark its tenth anniversary, MEF Tennis Events, in collaboration with Gruppo Grifo and the City of Perugia, will bring tennis to the heart of the city. On Saturday, June 7, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, a mini-tennis court will be set up at the iconic Giardini Carducci. The event, free and open to all, invites children, students, citizens, and tourists to try their hand at the sport in a unique setting.
A Sustainable Event
This year again, Regusto partners with the tournament as its Sustainability Partner. Perugia will once more be a socially and environmentally conscious ATP Challenger. Through the use of Impact Tokens, the collaboration will enable the redistribution of 40,000 meal equivalents and prevent the emission of 20,000 kg of CO₂ by recovering surplus food and goods. The initiative underscores the tournament’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation.
With a stellar player field, strong institutional backing, and initiatives that bring sport into the heart of the community, the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia | G.I.Ma. Tennis Cup is set to celebrate its tenth edition in style—on and off the court.
