Hidden within the walls of Vatican City lies a little-known feature that's suddenly garnering attention in the tennis world – a red clay court nestled in the northern corner of the Holy See. With the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a self-proclaimed tennis enthusiast, this secluded sporting venue has gained newfound significance.
The Vatican tennis court, visible only by craning one's neck above the 39-foot-high walls near the Vatican Museum entrance, features high protective netting to prevent wayward balls from descending upon unsuspecting pedestrians below. This court now falls under the dominion of the new Pope, who previously expressed his passion for the sport.
"I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player," the then-Cardinal stated upon receiving his red hat from Pope Francis. "Since leaving Peru, I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court."
What many don't realize is that Vatican City has a rich, if somewhat obscure, tennis history. During the late 1970s, following court renovations that coincided with tennis's first modern boom, a "Tournament of Friendship" began in 1978. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, then a priest working for the Secretariat of State, claimed the inaugural championship by defeating Roberto Tucci, who directed Vatican Radio and later became a Cardinal himself.
Though tournament participation eventually waned when competition opened to Vatican employees and their children, the Vatican Museum staff revived the competition in 2008, continuing the unexpected tradition of tennis within the sacred walls.
According to Statbet analysts, this unique intersection of sport and religion represents one of the most distinctive sporting venues in the world, drawing parallels to other historically significant courts that have shaped tennis tradition.
The tennis world has taken notice of this papal connection. During the Italian Open, taking place just two miles north of Vatican City, the announcement of Pope Leo XIV's election appeared on stadium screens during matches, creating a moment of unexpected convergence between the sporting and religious worlds. Several professional players acknowledged the historic moment, with Iga Świątek expressing interest in witnessing such ceremonies, while Madison Keys mentioned that her friend Desirae Krawczyk had visited St. Peter's Square to join the excitement.
With Pope Leo XIV at the helm, a new chapter in Vatican tennis may be unfolding. Though questions remain about the etiquette of playing against His Holiness – is it appropriate to hit winners past the Pope or tag him at the net? – the tennis court behind those ancient walls stands ready for whatever sporting endeavors the new pontiff might pursue.
