New pope, a tennis fan, meets world’s No. 1 player May 14, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Sports, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The day after advancing to the semi-finals of the Italian Open, Jannik Sinner paid a visit to a fan. While in Rome for the tournament May 14, the world’s highest-ranked tennis player walked into the halls of the Vatican and met with Pope Leo XIV, who proved to be a well-informed spectator of the young champion. “Last night you won,” the pope said while shaking his hand, referencing the Italian’s straight-sets victory over 17th-seeded Francisco Cerùndolo — 7-6, 6-3 in just over two hours. Sinner presented the pope with a custom-made white tennis racket, matching the papal cassock. Pope Leo, clearly enjoying the moment, gestured to his white cassock and quipped that Wimbledon would let him play — referencing the tournament’s famous all-white dress code. The encounter took a playful turn when Sinner, holding up a tennis ball, asked the pope if he wanted to play. “Here we’ll break something,” the pope responded with a laugh, looking around at the room’s antique furniture. “Better not.” Before posing for photos with Sinner’s parents and the Italian Open trophy, the two discussed the tournament — Sinner’s first after a three-month break. “Now we’re in the game,” Sinner told the pope, acknowledging a shaky start. “With three games (gone), we’ve gotten a bit of rhythm.” Meeting the press after the game May 12, Sinner responded to news that the new pope was a tennis fan. “I think it’s a good thing for us tennis players to have a pope who likes this sport that we’re playing,” he said. The Italian Open is Sinner’s first tournament after serving a 90-day suspension after a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. Read More Sports Archbishop Curley’s 1975 soccer squad defied the odds – and Cold War barriers Calvert Hall holds off Loyola Blakefield to claim a 28-24 victory in the 105th Turkey Bowl White Sox co-owner says pope told him he’d ‘love to’ throw a season opening pitch in future 5 Things to Know about the 2025 Turkey Bowl Sportsmanship and the season of our discontents Faith, not fame, defines life for Toronto Blue Jays first-base coach from Severna Park Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
