Pope Leo XIV’s question draws laughter from Jannik Sinner ahead of Wimbledon

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner paid a visit to Vatican City on Wednesday, where he met with Pope Leo XIV during a break in the Italian Open. The Pope, a self-proclaimed tennis fan, seemed delighted to welcome Sinner, especially with Wimbledon on the horizon, and even shared a lighthearted moment that drew laughter from the Italian star.

A lifelong supporter of the sport, Pope Leo XIV mentioned he had played tennis as a child. In addition to hosting Sinner, the Vatican also displayed the Davis Cup trophy during the visit. The Italian ace, currently leading the ATP rankings, spent time with the Pope and presented him with a tennis racket as a gift.

Sinner spoke about how meaningful it is to have someone as influential as the Pope show interest in tennis. After receiving the racket, Leo XIV turned to Sinner with a smile and asked, “Could I play at Wimbledon with this?”

The question brought laughter from those in attendance. While Wimbledon remains a major goal for Sinner, his immediate focus is on Roland Garros, just weeks away.

Sinner shares thoughts on Pope Leo XIV

After Pope Leo XIV revealed his lifelong passion for tennis and joked about which player he’d prefer to avoid in a charity match, Sinner reacted with a thoughtful message about the Pope’s influence on the sport from the Vatican.

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“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,” Sinner told the media ahead of the Italian Open, marking his return to international competition.

Sinner gearing up for crucial match at Italian Open

Sinner has enjoyed a strong return to the ATP Tour. With a place secured in the Italian Open quarterfinals, the home favorite is preparing for a key clash against Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud.

The matchup presents a major opportunity for Sinner, who has never lost to Ruud. He holds a 3–0 head-to-head record, including a straight-sets win (7–5, 6–1) in the 2021 Vienna Open quarterfinals.