World's top tennis stars compete in Rome this May.

The 2023 Internazionali BNL d'Italia tennis tournament, also known as the Rome Masters or the Italian Open, is being held at the Foro Italico from 8-21 May.

The 80th edition of the prestigious sporting event, which combines men and women's tournaments, is played on a red clay surface across 14 courts: eight for singles and doubles matches, and the other six for practice sessions.

The world's top tennis stars will compete in the Italian capital, after the pre-qualification stages, including all current top 10 players in the men's singles.

Leading the charge is world number 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and 10-time Rome champion Rafa Nadal, along with Italians Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Sonego and Lorenzo Musetti.

Local star Matteo Berrettini has had to withdraw from the competition due to injury.

The Foro Italico is ready to host the upgraded edition of the #IBI23.

For the first time ever, we are expecting three weeks of huge tennis. Finals will take place on May 20 and 21!

Tickets and schedule herehttps://t.co/ODw7Ysza6C @atptour | @WTA pic.twitter.com/r8TGYOLMQA

— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) April 12, 2023

Top names in the women's competition include world number one Iga Świątek and this year's Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, along with  Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia.

The Italian Open was hosted in Milan from its inception in 1930 before being moved to its present venue in Rome in 1934, and becoming an open event in 1969.

For ticket information and programme details see Internazionali BNL d'Italia website.

Photo credit: FRANCESCO PANUNZIO / Shutterstock.com.