Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner had a memorable day as he met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The world number one tennis player was invited to meet the newly elected pope along with his parents and a group from the Italian Tennis Federation.
During their meeting, Sinner presented Pope Leo with a tennis racket, and the two shared a light-hearted moment, each holding a racket and a tennis ball. They were seen laughing together, bringing a cheerful atmosphere to the private audience.
Pope Leo, who recently made headlines as the first U.S. pope in the history of the Catholic Church, joked about playing tennis. When asked if he would like to hit some balls with Sinner, he humorously replied, "Better not," while looking at the ceiling lights. Earlier, he had playfully expressed his reluctance about facing the young athlete in a match.
In a 2023 interview, the Pope described himself as "quite the amateur tennis player," showing his passion for the sport. This connection with Sinner seemed to resonate well during their meeting, as Sinner acknowledged the Pope’s interest in tennis, stating it was nice to have a pope who enjoys the game.
Sinner is currently participating in the Italian Open, taking place near the Vatican. He is making his comeback after a three-month doping ban. During a news conference, he reacted shyly to the Pope’s comments about him, saying, "Why do you have to put me in a difficult spot?" He added that it was great for tennis players to have a pope who appreciates their sport.
This meeting not only highlighted Sinner’s achievements in tennis but also marked a special moment for the Vatican, blending sports with a touch of humor and warmth.