Pope Leo XIV received the world's number one tennis player, Italy's Jannik Sinner, on the morning of May 14, 2025, confirmed Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
The 23-year-old, 6'3" athlete was accompanied by his family and Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP).
“The Pope's passion for sport is well known,” said Bruni, commenting on the audience, which took place in a room adjacent to the Paul VI Hall, where the pontiff met with Eastern Catholics this morning.
Jannik Sinner presented the Pope, himself an amateur tennis player, with a racket, explaining that it had been made in the same design as his own. The Pontiff then joked that Wimbledon would let him play with the racket.
FITP representatives presented Leo XIV with a membership card for the federation and showed him the Silver Salad Bowl, the trophy for the Davis Cup, organized by the International Tennis Federation.
In the footage, Leo XIV asked Sinner what language he spoke with his parents, who were standing next to him. “German,” replied the tennis player.
He is originally from Trentino-Alto Adige, a former Austrian region that was annexed to northern Italy in 1919, where the population remains partly German-speaking.
Friendly chat
During the audience with the media on Monday, a member of the Pontifical Mission Societies' communications team suggested to the Pope that he organize a fundraising match with André Agassi, the famous American champion.
With humor, the Pope replied, “Yes, but let's not bring Sinner,” making a play on words with the Italian player's last name.
Sinner himself was asked about the Pope's comment following his 6-4, 6-2 victory over Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong.
“Obviously I heard that he played as a kid. I think it’s a good thing for us tennis players to have a pope who likes this sport that we’re playing.”
And what about a possible rallying session with Leo?
“For the future we’ll see,” Sinner said. “Who knows.”
The Italian Open is being played in Rome through Sunday. One wonders if Cardinal Prevost would have been able to attend. Undoubtedly, Pope Leo cannot.
