CESENATICO/STARNBERG, January 24, 2026
Italy’s international tennis calendar for 2026 gets underway in Cesenatico, where the brand-new Start Romagna Cup – 1st City of Cesenatico Trophy will be staged from February 1 to 8. The ATP Challenger 50 event with a total prize money of €56,700, will be played on the indoor hard courts of the Circolo Tennis “Godio”, a venue rich in history that once hosted an ITF event and a junior Winter Cup featuring a young Roger Federer.
The tournament was officially presented at a press conference held at the Palazzo del Turismo, underlining the city’s ambition to re-establish itself as a key destination on the international tennis map. Cesenatico mayor Matteo Gozzoli expressed pride in welcoming back elite-level tennis, highlighting both the city’s strong tennis tradition and the broader goals of promoting sport beyond the summer season while supporting local clubs and youth development.
Title sponsor Start Romagna has lent its name to the event, a decision explained by company president Andrea Corsini, who emphasized the strategic importance of supporting initiatives that enhance the region’s sporting, cultural and economic profile. Among the tournament’s major highlights is the appointment of Carlos Bernardes, one of the most respected chair umpires in tennis history, as Tournament Director. Bernardes, who retired from officiating at the end of 2024, begins a new chapter of his career in Cesenatico, bringing four decades of ATP Tour experience to the organization of the event.
Wild cards will be distributed in cooperation with the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, with a strong focus on supporting young Italian players. One confirmed wild card for the qualifying draw has already been awarded to Alessio Balestrieri (born 2007). Several promising Italian prospects are also in contention for main-draw invitations, while four Italians are already guaranteed direct entry based on ranking: Federico Arnaboldi, Carlo Alberto Caniato, Raul Brancaccio and Federico Bondioli.
Heading the entry list is Luka Mikrut, the 21-year-old Croatian ranked No. 163 in the world, followed by Davis Cup players Daniil Glinka of Estonia and Nerman Fatic from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Strong attention will also be on Nishesh Basavareddy, the 20-year-old American who has impressed at recent ATP Next Gen Finals and qualified for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Tournament organizer Paolo Caponigri underlined the collective effort behind the event, praising the support of the Municipality of Cesenatico, the Emilia-Romagna Region, Start Romagna and numerous local partners. Regional and federation representatives echoed the importance of such tournaments in promoting sport year-round and reinforcing Emilia-Romagna’s position as Italy’s leading host of international tennis events.
Ticket prices range from €5 on opening Sunday to €15 for finals weekend, with reduced rates for young spectators and a weekly pass available for €50 (€30 under 18). Tickets and passes can be purchased directly at the Circolo Tennis “Godio”. Evening sessions are scheduled from Monday to Friday, with matches starting at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. For more information, please click here.
