VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis congratulated Italy on Monday after tennis player Jannik Sinner became the country's first man to win a Grand Slam singles title in nearly a half century. Sinner won the Australian Open title on Sunday and Francis made the acknowledgement during an audience with the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona. “Today we have to congratulate the Italians because yesterday they won in Australia, so we congratulate them, too,” the pope said. “In tennis, as in life, we can’t always win,” Francis added. He's got a mix of great skill, great desire and great character.

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Persons: — Pope Francis, Italy, Jannik Sinner, Sinner, Francis, can’t, ” Francis, ”, Davis, Italy’s, Sergio Mattarella, Adriano Panatta, Panatta, he's, “, ” Panatta, He's, I've, ” Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, ___ Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Real, de Tenis, “, Davis Locations: de Tenis Barcelona, Australia, Barcelona, Italy, Sunday's