When Roger Federer Met The Pope During the Italian Open

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

The 2006 Italian Open was a memorable one for Roger Federer. And it was not just because he and Rafael Nadal played perhaps the greatest final ever in Rome.

After negotiating a 6-2, 6-1 win over Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina in the first round, Federer had an unusual way of preparing for his second round match against Potito Strarace of Italy the morning of the match. And that was visiting Vatican Square and having the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict XVI, who hailed from Germany.

The following is the excerpt from the book “On This Day In Roger Federer History” which is for sale and download  here: https://a.co/d/e0hljS7 where the encounter is documented in the May 10 chapter of the book

2006: Inspired by a morning meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, Roger Federer advances into the third round of the Italian Championships defeating Potito Starace of Italy 6-3, 7-6(2). Says Federer of meeting the Holy Father, “Yes. It was an emotional day today. In the morning, meeting the Pope was very, very nice and a big honor of course. Got to shake his hand, exchange a few words in German, and that’s it. But of course, it was very special for me. I’m Catholic after all, so it was very nice. Then, after on, the great match here. It was a perfect day.”