"Considering what Boris was going through in the last couple of years, coming out still walking tall and proudly, it's something that I admire," world No. 1 said.
The ITF also announced that Poland will receive a wild card into the 12-player final field.
The former World No.1 spoke with Courtney Walsh about missing the sport and what her first year of retirement has been like.
Venus Celebrates Music Icon Nina Simone With New Charity Auction
It was shotmaker's circus in Rome today.
The tournament released its annual figures. Overall prize money is up 12.3 percent.
A fired-up Fabio Fognini has scored successive Tour-level wins for the first time since April, 2022.
