A screen flashes the news of new Pope Leo XIV, during the second round match between Italys’ Fabio Fognini and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley at the Italian Open tennis tournament, Thursday. May 8, 2025, in Rome. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in action against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic during the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday May 9, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves to Anastasia Potapova of Russia during the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday May 9, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
A screen flashes the news of new Pope Leo XIV, during the second round match between Italys’ Fabio Fognini and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley at the Italian Open tennis tournament, Thursday. May 8, 2025, in Rome. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
ROME (AP) 鈥 It was fitting that when Pope Leo XIV was elected, the Italian Open tennis tournament was being played just up the road from the Vatican.
Because tennis is the sport that the first American pope likes to play.
鈥淚 consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,鈥 Leo, the Chicago-born Robert Prevost, said in after taking over the Vatican鈥檚 powerful Dicastery for Bishops following years as a missionary in Peru.
鈥淪ince leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice so I am looking forward to getting back on the court,鈥 Leo added. 鈥淣ot that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.鈥
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While the Mediterranean climate in Rome makes tennis a year-long outdoor sport and there are courts all over the capital, Leo will likely have even less time to play now that he鈥檚 the pope.
But Greek pro Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been ranked as high as No. 3, said he would be happy to hit some balls with Leo if he finds the time.
鈥淲hy not?鈥 Tsitsipas said when asked by The Associated Press after winning his second-round match on Friday. 鈥淚 feel like figures like this maybe can teach humans things. 鈥 I feel lucky that I was here when that got announced.鈥
When Leo was elected and then introduced at the Vatican on Thursday, first-round tennis matches were being played at the Foro Italico.
during a changeover of Jacob Fearnley鈥檚 win over Fabio Fognini. And on the outside walls of the stadium, a jumbo screen was tuned to a news channel covering the announcement of the new pope.
Leo鈥檚 brother says the new pope is also baseball team.
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