(Video) Jannik Sinner Gifts Racket to ‘Quite Amateur Tennis Player’ Pope XIV Who Shares His Wimbledon Dream

After joking that he would not be playing against Jannik Sinner because of the English meaning of his last name, Pope XIV invited the World No.1 to the Vatican. Ahead of his quarterfinal match at the Italian Open, Sinner, during his off day, visited the Pope and gifted him his racket.

Before this meeting, when during a press conference with international media, the Pope was asked about a charity tennis match, and he joked, “But don’t bring Sinner“. After meeting the 23-year-old, the Pope jokingly asked him whether he could play at Wimbledon, given that he was wearing an all-white cassock.

They would let me into Wimbledon like this.

The Pope joked

Sinner then asked him to play tennis with him. The Pope, who during an interview back in 2023 called himself “quite an amateur tennis player”, looked around him at the antiques and declined the offer.

But here we’ll break something. Maybe best to leave it!

The Pope said

Sinner was then asked about his campaign in his home tournament after the three-month ban. The three-time Grand Slam champion went past Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round and set himself a match against two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud.

Right now, we’re still in the tournament. At the beginning of the tournament, it was a bit difficult; we weren’t sure [what to expect]. But now with the matches, we’re getting more rhythm.

Jannik Sinner said

Watch the video here:

Pope Leo XIV receives professional tennis player Jannik Sinner in the Vatican and asks for some sporting tips.

The audience took place in the rooms attached to the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, and the Pope also met with Mr. Sinner's family and the President of the Italian Tennis… pic.twitter.com/RoYTvivEyR

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 14, 2025

Jannik Sinner makes his feelings clear about reaching the quarterfinals in Rome

The Italian Open is Jannik Sinner‘s first tournament since the three-month doping ban he was handed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in January. He is playing his second tournament of the season after the Australian Open where he defended his title by beating Alexander Zverev.

So far in Rome, Sinner is yet to drop a set. After knocking out Francisco Cerundolo, Sinner extended his winning streak to 24 matches.

He has not yet lost a match since the 2024 Shanghai Masters in October as after taking home the Masters 1000 title, he won the ATP Finals as well as the Davis Cup with Italy. Before the Italian Open, Sinner said he wasn’t sure about his expectations in the tournament. But now that he reached the quarterfinals, Sinner said he’s happy to make a deep run.

Coming back, I just tried to put myself in the best possible position to see what’s happening. I mean, I’m glad that today were so many difficult situation. That’s exactly what I need trying to find my rhythm again, trying to find my mental strength again and everything together. Yeah, it was a great match today.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

He had skipped the tournament last year due to an injury. Before this year, he produced his best performance here when he made it to the quarterfinals in 2022.

Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud’s head-to-head record

Jannik Sinner holds a 3-0 lead in the head-to-head record against Casper Ruud. But all these three matches they played on indoor hard courts.

The upcoming match is on the red dirt so it’s difficult to see who has got the edge. Ruud, the three-time Grand Slam finalist is one of the best clay-court players at present.

The Norwegian is the winner of 13 ATP titles, 12 of which came on clay. Sinner, on the other hand, is the winner of just one clay-court title (the 2022 Umag Open).

Before setting up the clash with Sinner, Ruud knocked out Jaume Munar in straight sets. He entered the last European clay-court Masters 1000 tournament after lifting the Madrid Open for the first time by beating Jack Draper. The winner of the quarterfinal match will face Tommy Paul or Hubert Hurkacz.

Also read: Coco Gauff Oozing With “A Lot of Confidence” After Beating Mirra Andreeva to Reach the Semifinals of the Italian Open