
Jannik Sinner visited with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV last week, but was without a prayer as he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Italian Open final on Sunday, losing 6-7 1-6.
Playing his first tournament since serving a three-month anti-doping ban, the home favourite and world No1 Sinner had cruised to the final and remained in contention throughout a tight first set, but was denied a tournament win in front of the adoring home fans.