- The sinner made the brief trip of the Italian open to the Vatican to meet the pope
- Pope Leo XIV said he considered me the amateur tennis player ” in 2023
Jannik Sinner received the reception of a saint returning from the desert here in Rome, it is therefore appropriate that he was among the first to grant an audience with the new Pope.
The world No1, which has been in the quarterfinals of its first event since the expiration of its three -month anti -doping prohibition, has made the brief trip from Foro Italico to the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV, former cardinal Robert Prévost, is a passionate tennis fan. In 2023, he said: “I consider myself the amateur tennis player.”
The sinner presented to the 69 -year -old racket and, by removing a bullet, suggested a blow. Take a look at the chandeliers and ornaments of the Vatican reception room, Leo XIV said: “Not here.”
The pope, conversing in a fluid Italian, certainly held the racket as if he knew what to do with it. And, signaling to his entirely white papal outfit, he joked that he would be allowed to play Wimbledon.
All of this was part of what was a dream comeback in sport to Sinner, in front of his fans of worship at home. The 23 -year -old said he had low expectations, given that he had not played competitive tennis from the Australian Open, but he is in the last eight without dropping a set.
N ° 1 of the Jannik Sinner world is among the first to obtain an audience with Pope Leo XIV
The sinner presented to the 69 -year -old racket at the Vatican meeting
His last victory against Francisco Cerundolo, who beat him in Rome in 2023, was very impressive. “Quarters, it’s an excellent result, right?” He said after this victory. “Coming back, I just tried to put myself in the best possible position to see what is going on.
“I am glad that today is so many difficult situations. This is exactly what I need to find my rhythm, trying to find my mental strength.
“For the first tournament, I am very, very happy.
Thursday comes his biggest test to date, against the Madrid open casper Ruud champion. But with a papal blessing and the whole country behind his back, who would bet against him?
