Jannik Sinner meets Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican City

Jannik Sinner

Pope Leo XIV Receives Sinner in Vatican City

World No. 1 was invited along with his parents and an FITP delegation

Vatican Pool/Getty Images Pope Leo XIV receives Janik Sinner, his family and the president of the Italian Tennis Federation during a private audience in Vatican City. By ATP Staff

Jannik Sinner had no ordinary day off from competing at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Wednesday, when the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings headed to the Vatican City for an audience with Pope Leo XIV.

Sinner, his parents Johann and Siglinde, his manager Alex Vittur and a delegation from the Italian Tennis Federation including president Angelo Binaghi were among those present at the meeting with Leo XIV, who was elected as the new head of the worldwide Catholic Church just six days ago.

The 23-year-old Sinner presented the pope, who describes himself as a keen amateur tennis player, with one of his racquets before they both posed for photographs in front of the Davis Cup trophy, which Sinner helped Italy win in 2023 and 2024, and the Billie Jean King Cup trophy.

“Could I play at Wimbledon?,” Pope Leo XIV asked Sinner after receiving one of the World No. 1’s racquets.

When the papal conclave announced Leo XIV as the new pope on 8 May, the news was broadcast on the big screens inside the Foro Italico, the venue for the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

Click here to read article