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 Olympic ski jumping silver, bronze medals lay on altar as young athlete’s faith goes viral Mount St. Joseph’s BJ Ranson selected as BCL Player of Year; league unveils new academic honors French priest hears confessions while riding chairlift in the Alps 6 Catholic athletes from past Winter Olympics inspire with stories of faith, endurance Olympic skater aims to honor Italy’s Catholic culture with ‘Conclave’ program Church can help sports by flexing values, strengthening human dignity, pope says Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
