Pope Francis congratulates Sinner: ‘To learn life lessons from tennis’

O Pope Francis congratulate him Yannick Sinner for winning the Australian Open.

“We have to learn life lessons from tennis“, the Pontiff said, emphasizing that sport offers opportunities “for the development of each person and society».

The Pope emphasized that in tennis “it seems that the challenge between the players is above all about the desire to prevail over the opponent”, but “in fact, as interpreted by his English background, it is an expression of openness and dialogue with other cultures. In tennis, as in life, we cannot always win” said the Pope, “but it will be a rich challenge if, playing politely and according to the rules, we learn that it is not a struggle, but a dialogue that involves effort and allows us to improve. To understand a little about sports not only as a battle but also as a dialogue. There is a dialogue that, in the case of tennis, often becomes artistic».

For the Pontiff, this is a teaching about which one can reflect more broadly, looking within: “In the playing field, as in that of existence, we sometimes feel alone, sometimes supported by those who play this game of life with us. But, even when we play alone, we always feel the presence of the Lord who teaches us what it means to respect, understand and the need for constant communication with others».

Finally, the Pope recommended that human and spiritual development be considered first and foremost in those who work with children in sport, “who dream of a sporting future of excellence“, why “sport must help in this” and underlined that “training needs cannot override their integral development». Hence the invitation to care for young children, those who “they can benefit from the values ​​of sport in complex social environments».