Tennis sensation Jannik Sinner made news for both his spectacular recovery and his special visit to Pope Leo XIV following a three-month doping suspension.  Sinner greeted the pope with fun and kindness, even though the pope had earlier made a playful comment about the top-ranked player.

 After two positive chlorotestosterone tests in March 2024, Sinner’s suspension was lifted on May 4.  At the Rome Masters, the South Tyrolean showed his tenacity by defeating Francisco Cerundolo handily to get to the quarterfinals on the clay courts.  After defeating Casper Ruud, he qualified for the semifinals on May 16.

Sinner managed to squeeze in a trip to the Vatican with Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, and their families despite their busy tournament schedule.  The world number one, who was well-dressed, met with Pope Leo XIV, who had earlier expressed his love of tennis and even made a playful remark about Sinner.

 The Pope humorously told the media early in the week that he was amenable to participating in a charity tennis match to aid missionary work, but he included a lighthearted disclaimer: “Just don’t bring me Sinner,” which alludes to the player’s last name.  Sinner accepted the joke amicably and gave the Pope a tennis racket and ball as a present.  “Can I play at Wimbledon with this?” the Pope joked in Italian while brandishing a racket.

But the expected tennis match between the two never happened.  Pope Leo XIV looked about at the lighting and furnishings of the Vatican and grinned when asked whether he would play. He then said, “Better not.”  This remark demonstrated his love of the sport but his desire to keep the visit informal and free of real competitiveness.

 It’s no secret that the Pope loves tennis.  Soon after his election, he was described as having a “very strong backhand” and identifying as a “amateur tennis player.”  The Vatican stated in an official statement that “the Pope’s enthusiasm for tennis is widely recognized.”  Sinner’s comeback to tennis was given an interesting and friendly chapter by this rare meeting between one of the game’s biggest stars and the head of the Vatican.