By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, May 14, 2025
A remarkable encounter: the new Pope and Jannik Sinner…
On an unforgettable Wednesday at the Vatican, Jannik Sinner and his family enjoyed a special moment with Pope Leo XIV. Interestingly, the Pope is quite the tennis enthusiast who enjoys playing and describes himself as an “amateur player.”
Un onore immenso incontrare Papa Leone XIV
📸 Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/HUxK79USp1
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) May 14, 2025
Sinner mentioned hearing about the Pope’s childhood tennis adventures and remarked how beneficial it is for tennis players to have a supporter like the Pope in their corner.
In a delightful gesture, Sinner gifted the Pope a pair of Head MP Speed tennis racquets, prompting Pope Leo XIV to quip, “Could I play at Wimbledon?”
A stroke of divine intervention at the All England Club? Let’s get him a wild card!
Later, when Sinner playfully pulled out a tennis ball, he suggested a little practice together, to which the Pope replied, “We’d break something – best not to.” Wise move indeed, as preserving priceless artifacts takes precedence, but it was a valiant attempt by Italy’s top talent.
They wrapped up their meeting with a handshake and some photo ops in front of the Davis Cup, celebrating Italy’s impressive back-to-back victories.
What an exhilarating day for Jannik Sinner and his family—one that was likely equally enjoyable for Pope Leo!
