Usually players spend their days off at a tournament by resting, practising or getting treatment. However, in Jannik Sinner’s case, he had a meeting with the Pope to attend to.
The world No.1 went to Vatican City along with his parents and Tennis Federation (FITP) President Angelo Binaghi to see Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday in what was one of his first sport-related engagements since being appointed head of the Catholic Church. Leo XIV, who is the first-ever American pontiff, is a known tennis fan. He once referred to himself as ‘quite the amateur tennis player’ during an interview that took place in 2023.
During the special function, Sinner presented LEO XIV with a racket before asking him if he ‘would like to play.’ Prompting a humorous response from the Pope, who joked ‘better not here’ and pointed to the furniture inside the room at the Paul VI Hall. The Pope went on to say, ‘Wimbledon would let me.’
According to the ASNA news agency, Sinner was asked by the Pope if his parents spoke German, which he said they do. Sinner and his family are from a majority German-speaking province of Bolzano, Northern Italy.
Earlier this week, Leo XIV indicated that he was open to the idea of playing a charity tennis match in aid of his missionary. Commenting, ‘as long as they don’t bring sinners.‘ A playful reference to the world No.1’s name and the English definition.
When quizzed about those remarks at the Italian Open, Sinner reluctantly weighed in.
“Playing with the Pope? Why are you getting me into trouble?” he said to reporters. “For us tennis players, it’s nice to know that the Pope likes our sport.”
Sinner is currently playing in his first ATP event since serving a 90-day ban for an anti-doping violation. His next match will be against Casper Ruud on Thursday.
