Pope’s Love for Tennis Brings Smiles to Players
ROME — Jannik Sinner, the rising Italian tennis star, expressed his delight that the new pope enjoys tennis. "It’s great for us tennis players," Sinner said, following his win at the Italian Open.
During a recent meeting with the media, Pope Leo XIV playfully remarked that he wouldn’t want to play a match with Sinner, likely referring to the meaning of the word "sinner." The light-hearted exchange came after Sinner’s convincing victory over Jesper De Jong.
When asked about the pope’s comments, Sinner blushed and remarked, “Why do you have to make things difficult for me?” He noted, “I think it’s wonderful to have a pope who appreciates our sport.”
As for the possibility of a tennis match with the pope in the future, Sinner said, “We’ll see. Who knows?”
This fun interaction showcases not just the lighter side of sports, but also how figures like the pope can connect with different cultures through shared interests, like the love of tennis.
