From Randy Walker
@Tennispublisher
The Italian Open from 2006 was unforgettable for Roger Federer. And it was not only because he and Rafael Nadal might have played the biggest final in Rome.
After Federer negotiated a 6-2 win with 6-1 against Juan Ignacio Chela from Argentina in the first round, he had an unusual way in the morning of the game to prepare for his second game against Potito Strarace. And that was a visit to the Vatican Platz and had the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict XVI, who came from Germany.
The following is the extract from the book “On this day in the history of Roger Federer”, which is for sale here and is downloaded: https://a.co/d/e0hljs7, where the encounter is documented in the chapter of the book of May 10th of the book
2006: Inspired by a morning meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. Stang and gets into the third round of the Italian championships and defeated Potito Starace from Italy 6-3, 7-6 (2). Federer about the Holy Father: “Yes. It was an emotional day today. In the morning it was very, very nice and a great honor to give your hand, of course, to exchange a few words in German, and that is. But of course it was something very special for me.
