Tennis-Italian Open tennis to have spectators from last-16 onwards

ROME, Italy (Reuters) - This year's Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome will have 25% capacity crowds from the last-16 stage onwards, Sport Undersecretary Valentina Vezzali said on Tuesday.

The May 8-16 event will feature COVID-19 precautions such as social distancing, face masks and sanitisers.

"It is the responsibility of the local health authorities to define the details of the operational aspects useful for a better implementation of the measures for the prevention and containment of the infection," Vezzali said in the statement.

The Coppa Italia soccer final between Juventus and Atalanta on May 19 will have fans present, with 20% of the stadium capacity open to the public.

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)