Coco Gauff’s Comic Serve Moment Against Zheng Qinwen Adds Charm To Italian Open Semifinal Battle; Video

In a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2025 Italian Open, Coco Gauff not only displayed her tennis prowess but also provided a hilarious moment that lightened the mood. The match against Zheng Qinwen was tightly contested, with Gauff winning the first set in a tiebreak and Zheng bouncing back to take the second 6-4. However, the most memorable moment came early in the third set, not through intense rallies but through an unexpected comic incident.

As Gauff prepared to serve in the opening game of the deciding set, Zheng broke her racquet strings mid-rally and left the court to change her racquet. Fully focused on her service routine, Gauff served without noticing Zheng had stepped away. She was surprised to find no one on the opposite side of the net, leading to laughter from the crowd, the umpire, and even Gauff herself, who smiled and shrugged off the embarrassment.

The match, which had been more gritty than spectacular, saw neither player able to dominate. Zheng managed to break Gauff’s serve and seemed close to sealing the win. Yet, Gauff fought back, breaking Zheng on a crucial break point to level the score at 5-5. Both players then held serve to push the set into a tiebreak.

Gauff seized the momentum in the tiebreak, winning the decisive mini-break and closing out the match 7-4 in the breaker after more than three and a half hours. With this victory, she advanced to the Italian Open final to face local favorite Jasmine Paolini. This match perfectly showcased Gauff’s competitive spirit and her ability to stay composed, even after a lighthearted moment under pressure.

'Could I Play At Wimbledon?': Pope Leo XIV Shares Laugh With Tennis Star Jannik Sinner During Vatican Visit; Video

In a rare and heartwarming intersection of faith and sport, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Italy’s tennis sensation Jannik Sinner for a private audience at the Vatican. The meeting took place in the rooms adjoining the Paul VI Hall and featured a lighthearted moment when the Pope asked the young star, “Could I play at Wimbledon?”

The visit came during a significant week for Italian tennis, as the 2025 Italian Open unfolds in Rome, attracting the world’s top players as part of the ATP and WTA 1000 circuits. Sinner, currently one of the tournament's main attractions, took time out of his competitive schedule to meet the spiritual leader.

The Pope, known for his informal style and frequent references to sports as a vehicle for peace and unity, greeted Sinner warmly and also took time to meet his family, as well as Alberto Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis Federation. The conversation reportedly touched on the values of discipline, perseverance, and humility—qualities shared by both top athletes and spiritual leaders.

In a humorous and widely appreciated moment, Pope Leo XIV asked Sinner if he could one day grace the lawns of Wimbledon himself. “Could I play at Wimbledon?” the Pope joked, drawing laughter from those present.

The event highlighted the Vatican’s continued outreach to the world of sports as a source of dialogue and inspiration for youth. For Sinner, it marked a memorable moment in a career already filled with historic milestones—and for Pope Leo XIV, it was another example of his ability to connect with people far beyond the traditional walls of the Church.