A first-round match at the Rome Masters 1000 tournament in Italy, featuring local favorite Fabio Fognini and Great Britain`s Jacob Fearnley, was temporarily halted for a significant announcement: the election of the new Pope.
It had been announced earlier that Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) was chosen as the head of the Catholic Church. The newly elected pontiff was born in the USA and spent a considerable part of his life in Peru.
Intriguingly, even before the match began, Fabio Fognini reportedly inquired with the umpire whether an announcement would be made should a new Pope be elected. His query proved prescient, as the game was indeed paused specifically for the news to be conveyed to the spectators and players present at the stadium. A photograph of Leo XIV was also displayed on the venue`s screens during the interruption.
Regarding the tennis itself, Jacob Fearnley secured victory over Fabio Fognini with a final score of 6/2, 6/3.
