Pope Leo XIV has warmly received world No. 1 tennis star Jannik Sinner at the Vatican, putting to rest an earlier light-hearted remark about the Italian’s surname.
The meeting took place on Wednesday during Sinner’s rest day from the Italian Open, where the three-time Grand Slam champion made a special visit to the Vatican. In a symbolic gesture, Sinner presented the pontiff with a tennis racket and ball, even suggesting they have a quick volley. Pope Leo, smiling, declined playfully, glancing at the antique-filled reception room and saying, “Better not.”
The encounter came just days after the new pope—an avid tennis fan and the first American to lead the Catholic Church—joked that a charity match wouldn’t include Sinner, alluding to the ironic contrast between the player’s last name and the Church’s teachings.
But during Wednesday’s audience, all tension was brushed aside. “It’s an honor,” Sinner said in Italian, standing beside his parents as they met the pope. Leo, dressed in a white cassock, reportedly quipped that his outfit might fit the Wimbledon dress code, keeping the mood light.
The two posed for photos alongside the Davis Cup trophy, which Sinner helped Italy win last year, and the Billie Jean King Cup trophy, won by the Italian women’s team in 2024. Pope Leo also received an honorary membership card from the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, a reflection of his known passion for the sport.
Federation president Angelo Binaghi praised the meeting, saying, “We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride. We hope to embrace the Holy Father again soon—maybe on a tennis court.”
Sinner resumes his bid for the Italian Open title on Thursday with a quarterfinal clash against Casper Ruud. If successful, he could become the first Italian man to win the Rome tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Despite a recent three-month doping ban—judged to be caused by accidental contamination—Sinner appears fully back in form. And now, with a papal blessing of sorts, he’s playing not just with power, but with peace.
