Hopman Cup Returns to Bari, Italy in July

The prestigious Hopman Cup is set to take place in Bari, Italy, from July 16 to 20, marking a significant move from its traditional home in Australia. This year's tournament will feature mixed teams from Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Canada, and the reigning champions Croatia, with Italy represented by Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli. The event, established in 1989 and named after Australian tennis great Harry Hopman, will consist of singles and mixed doubles matches. After a hiatus, the tournament resumed in France last year but was canceled due to conflicts with the Olympics. The relocation to Italy underscores the country's growing prominence in the tennis world, highlighted by upcoming events such as the ATP Finals and Davis Cup finals. Italian tennis is experiencing a surge in popularity, driven by athletes like Paolini and Jannik Sinner.