Pope serves up hilarious banter with tennis' world number one
<p>Mayhem, mirth and match-point energy erupted inside the Vatican Wednesday as world No.1 tennis star Jannik Sinner met Pope Leo XIV, the newly appointed, tennis-loving American pope, for what may be the holiest pre-match warm-up in Italian Open history.</p>
<p>The two racquet-swinging celebrities exchanged gifts, laughs and playful jabs – though thankfully, no actual serves were fired indoors (a mercy for the priceless 15th-century frescoes).</p>
<p>Ahead of his quarter-final showdown with Casper Ruud in Rome, Sinner, fresh off a match against Francisco Cerundolo, visited the Vatican armed with racquets and respect. “Pleasure to meet you, it’s an honour,” Sinner told the Pope in Italian. The Pope, a self-confessed racquet-head and the first American to wear the papal whites was quick to size up the holy hardware.</p>
<p>“This is the racquet you play with?” asked Pope Leo, eyeing Sinner’s sacred gear.</p>
<p>“Yes, this is very, very similar,” Sinner replied, diplomatically avoiding divine confusion over string tension.</p>
<p>“Only the colour is a little different, but the rest is the same.”</p>
<p>“Wimbledon would let me play!” the Pope cracked, before adding (surely to the horror of Vatican furniture conservators everywhere)“Do you want to play a little bit?”</p>
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<p>Sinner, detecting the rising risk of breaking either a vase or several commandments, offered a tactical retreat. “Maybe best to leave it,” he said.</p>
<p>During the audience, the head of Italy’s tennis and padel federation, Angelo Binaghi, presented the Pope with an honorary membership card. “We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride,” said Binaghi. The pair also posed beside the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup, Italy’s recent trophies, which were placed nearby just in case the Pope felt like blessing any silverware. </p>
<p>And in case anyone thought this was a one-sport pope, don’t forget: Leo is also a Chicago White Sox fan, which proves two things: his capacity for faith and his understanding of long-suffering.</p>
<p><em>Image: Instagram / Vatican Media</em></p>