Tennis champion Jannik Sinner meets Pope Leo XIV in landmark encounter

On Wednesday, May 14, Pope Leo XIV held a special audience in the Vatican with Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, during the 2025 Italian Open in Rome. The visit took place in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, and it included Sinner's family and Italian Tennis Federation president Alberto Binaghi.

The Italian Open or Internazionali BNL d'Italia, is currently being played, now is considered one of the premier tournaments which always attracts both notable and young international, as well as Italian players. The 23-year-old tennis star, who is currently competing in the tournament at the Foro Italico, enjoyed some time with the Pope, who jokingly gave him a tennis ball during his visit before the Pope left to watch him play.

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Jannik Sinner met Pope Leo XIV

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner had a meeting on Wednesday, May 14, with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, as the 2025 Italian Open unfolds in Rome.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the meeting was attended by Sinner's family and Alberto Binaghi, the President of the Italian Tennis Federation. The gathering took place in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.

Leo joked earlier this week that he didn't want to meet the world number one, at least not behind the net.

When a journalist asked the tennis star if he would participate in a charity match, Leo appeared up for it, but cautioned: “Just don't bring Sinner”, making a joke referring to the last name of the tennis star.

Sinner presented the pope with one of his tennis rackets, but the pontiff declined a suggestion to play. During the meeting, the Pope jokingly responded, “Here we'll break something. Best not to!”

Pope Leo XIV is a well-known tennis fan

The pontiff, formerly known as US Cardinal Robert Prevost, described himself in a 2023 interview published by the Augustinian religious order website as "quite the amateur tennis player".

Mr. Bruni remarked that Pope Leo XIV's passion for tennis is well-known. In a video from the meeting, Sinner can be seen offering the Pope a tennis ball, asking if he would like to play.

Sinner is a participant in the Italian Open tennis tournament that’s happening a short distance away from the Vatican, coming back from a 3-month doping suspension.

He blushed when asked during a news conference on Monday about the comments the pope made about him, dropping his head into his hands.

"Why do you have to put me in a tough spot?" he said, before he added, "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 we are playing."

Jannik Sinner ready for his quarterfinal match in Rome

Jannik Sinner is set to play his quarterfinal match at the Rome Masters 1000 on Thursday, his first tournament after serving a three-month suspension for doping, which was considered an accidental contamination. The young Italian tennis player will face Norwegian Casper Ruud, the recent Madrid champion, in what promises to be an exciting match where Sinner will look to advance and reaffirm his talent on the court.

With his sights set on history, Sinner has the chance to become the first Italian man to win the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976. During his audience with the pope, Angelo Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, took the opportunity to present Sinner with an honorary card in recognition of his outstanding career and achievements, a gesture that reinforces institutional support for the young Italian talent.