Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Briefly

Pope Leo XIV welcomed Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked tennis player, to the Vatican, where they engaged in a light-hearted exchange surrounding tennis. Sinner appeared excited to meet the pope and brought his tennis racket as a gesture of goodwill. Although they joked about potentially playing tennis, the pope opted not to, respecting the Vatican's decor. The meeting was filled with camaraderie and ended with hopes of a future engagement on the court, especially as Sinner prepares for his matches at the Italian Open after a recent doping ban.
Pope Leo XIV met with tennis star Jannik Sinner at the Vatican, where they exchanged rackets and shared a light-hearted conversation about the sport.
Sinner showed his excitement about the meeting and offered to play a quick volley, although Pope Leo declined to preserve the Vatican's antique decor.
The Italian Tennis Federation's president expressed pride in the pope's enthusiasm for tennis and hopes to have him join on the court in the future.
Sinner, recently returned from a doping ban, is aiming to make history at the Italian Open, and this visit marked a significant moment.
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