Pope Leo XIV Turns Down Tennis Match With Jannik Sinner: ‘We’ll Break Something’

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Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 10:40 IST

Jannik Sinner presented Pope Leo with a tennis racket and asked if helium would similar to play a match.

Pope Leo has often expressed his emotion for tennis. (Photo Credits: X)

With the Italian Open underway successful Rome, tennis subordinate Jannik Sinner met Pope Leo XIV successful the Vatican. Robert Prevost, who was elected arsenic the caput of the Catholic Church earlier this May, is passionate astir tennis. Upon gathering him successful a country adjacent to the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, Sinner talented Leo a tennis racket and asked if helium would similar to play a match. Despite his involvement successful the sport, the Pope could not judge the connection arsenic helium doubted, “Here we’ll interruption something. Best not to!" Sinner’s parents were besides portion of the meeting, which was arranged by the Italian Tennis Federation.

In a video shared by the Italian Open, Pope Leo appeared successful a cheerful temper arsenic helium exchanged immoderate jokes with Sinner. The Catholic main asked if the racket helium was presented with was ever utilized by Sinner himself. “Yes, this is very, precise similar. Only the colour is simply a spot different," the World No. 1 shared. Referring to his all-white attire, the Pope further quipped, “Wimbledon would fto maine play."

Pope Leo has often expressed his emotion for tennis. Before ascending to the papacy, helium called himself an “amateur tennis player" during an interrogation with the website of his Augustinian spiritual order.

In a caller chat with reporters, Leo besides joked astir taking portion successful a foundation tennis tournament. “Sure, that’s fine," helium said. One of the media unit past suggested, “I’ll bring Andre Agassi," to which the Pope said, “Just don’t bring Sinner."

When Sinner was informed astir specified remarks, helium was visibly embarrassed and said, “Why bash you person to enactment maine successful a hard spot? Obviously, I heard that helium played arsenic a kid. I deliberation it’s a bully happening for america tennis players to person a pope who likes the athletics that we’re playing."

The 2025 Italian Open, portion of some the ATP and WTA 1000 circuits, kicked disconnected connected May 7 and volition tally until May 18. Sinner, who was handed a first-round bye, has been successful bully form. He defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud successful consecutive sets successful the past lucifer to acceptable up the semi-finals against Tommy Paul, scheduled for Saturday, May 17.

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News viral Pope Leo XIV Turns Down Tennis Match With Jannik Sinner: ‘We’ll Break Something’